Northwestern baseball director, assistant coaches sue university, former head coach Jim Foster

EVANSTON, Ill. (WLS) -- A New lawsuit was filed against Northwestern University Monday by three former staff members from the school's baseball program.

Attorneys announced the lawsuit filed on behalf of their plaintiffs, which include two assistant baseball coaches and the Director of Baseball Operations.

SEE ALSO | Northwestern women's lacrosse player sues university, says baseball player sexually assaulted her

The three staff members claim they were retaliated against and demoted from their positions when they reported NCAA violations by former head baseball coach Jim Foster.

The three allege the program under Foster was abusive and toxic.

Northwestern University fired Foster shortly after firing football coach Patrick Fitzgerald over hazing allegations.

At a morning news conference in the Loop, staffers Dustin Napoleon, Johnathan Strauss and Chris Beacom said they were demoted and eventually let go after reporting the misconduct to the athletic department and human resources back in November of last year.

"We reported Coach Foster's conduct to Northwestern believing they would do the right thing. Northwestern did not do the right thing," Beacom said.

"Under Northwestern's watch Coach Foster engaged in abusive, racist, sexist behavior and he encouraged his coaches to violate NCAA rules," said attorney Chris Esbrook.

Beacom said Northwestern sat on the allegations of misconduct until they became public.

SEE ALSO | Northwestern hazing scandal: Current players speak out for first time after football practice

"University officials decided to sweep it under the rug. Northwestern did not remove Coach Foster, instead Northwester retaliated against us," he said.

The coaches said they remain unemployed and their reputations are now damaged.

A spokesperson for Northwestern said the lawsuit is without merit, and the university plans to contest it.

School officials said the coaches and director of operations received full support, and their contracts were paid for accordingly. They also said that the complaints were handled with established policy and protocols.

These latest lawsuits come as the school's football team is under fire for an alleged history of hazing and sexual abuse. Multiple lawsuits have been filed on behalf of former players and students.