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Disturbing details from Northwestern’s hazing investigation revealed, per report

Paul Harvey

By Paul Harvey

Published:

Northwestern football is dealing with an investigation into hazing allegations within Pat Fitzgerald’s program. The head coach was issued a 2-week suspension as a result of the investigation, though that investigation failed to compile significant evidence regarding who did and did not know about the alleged hazing.

Now, The Daily Northwestern has compiled a report with comments from a former Wildcat football player that requested to remain anonymous. According to that former player, some of the hazing conduct involved coerced sexual acts. It was a claim a second player also confirmed, per the report.

The anonymous player also said that it is at least possible Fitzgerald may have known about the ongoing hazing. The player indicated he reported his experiences to Northwestern late in 2022.

“I’ve seen it with my own eyes, and it’s just absolutely egregious and vile and inhumane behavior,” said the player, who asked to remain anonymous.

According to the player’s allegations, part of the hazing involved something the team referred to as “running.” It was a practice used to punish team members for mistakes on the field and in practice.

Here is how the anonymous former player detailed “running” via The Daily’s report:

(Warning: Some of the details include mention of sexual assault and could be triggering for some individuals)

If a player was selected for “running,” the player who spoke to The Daily said, they would be restrained by a group of 8-10 upperclassmen dressed in various “Purge-like” masks, who would then begin “dry-humping” the victim in a dark locker room.

“It’s a shocking experience as a freshman to see your fellow freshman teammates get ran, but then you see everybody bystanding in the locker room,” the player said. “It’s just a really abrasive and barbaric culture that has permeated throughout that program for years on end now.”

The report also detailed other hazing practices titled “carwashing” and “Gatorade shake challenges.” Nudity was involved in a number of the hazing activities, including players being forced to participate in a naked center-quarterback exchange per the report.

Here’s the full report from The Daily including a Twitter thread with some of the details:

Paul Harvey

Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.