Northwestern University finalizing settlement in alleged football hazing scandal

EVANSTON, Ill. (WLS) -- A settlement being finalized in the football hazing scandal at Northwestern University.

The university says it's gone through a mediation process and a settlement is now being finalized with players who alleged being hazed.

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The hazing scandal goes back to 2023 when former football players claimed they experienced hazing, racism and sexual abuse within Northwestern's football program.

Former head coach Pat Fitzgerald was initially suspended when an investigation found that coaches were not aware of hazing incidents, but had opportunities to find out about them.

RELATED: Northwestern University releases report on investigation into alleged hazing

Days later, Northwestern's president fired Fitzgerald, saying he should have known under his watch.

Fitzgerald, who coached the Wildcats for 17 seasons, maintains he didn't know about the hazing and filed a multi-million dollar counter lawsuit claiming breach of contract. His lawsuit is still ongoing.

Meanwhile, the scandal led to lawsuits across multiple sports at the university.

SEE ALSO: Northwestern hazing scandal: Attorneys for ex-NU coach Pat Fitzgerald announce lawsuit

Northwestern implemented new anti-hazing policies as a result of an investigation by former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch.

Since a settlement is being worked out, Northwestern is now asking the court to push the start of the trial from later this year to 2026.

The settlement that's being finalized, the university says, would fully resolve the students' claims against Northwestern and Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald's attorneys released a statement saying, "Coach Fitzgerald learned yesterday that Northwestern University and certain former Northwestern football players have finalized a global settlement agreement to dismiss all claims made by the
players against Northwestern and Coach Fitzgerald. As previously stated, Coach Fitzgerald committed no wrongdoing.

"Despite extensive written and testimonial discovery, there remains no evidence to show or suggest that Coach Fitzgerald was aware of any hazing at Northwestern. The discovery has thus confirmed what Northwestern said through President Michael Schill both before and after Coach Fitzgerald's termination: that there is no evidence that Coach Fitzgerald was aware of any hazing and that, despite a thorough and months-long investigation, Maggie Hickey found no credible evidence to believe Coach Fitzgerald, or any other coaching staff, knew about any alleged hazing. We are not surprised, because we have always known that Coach Fitzgerald did not know of any hazing within the Northwestern football program and that he took every reasonable step possible to ensure that hazing did not occur.

"Coach Fitzgerald has proven himself a staunch advocate of student well-being, including by consistently emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy on hazing. He implemented and maintained some of the strongest anti-hazing programs and policies in collegiate sports. In fact, before Northwestern football players could even step onto the practice field, each player was required to sign a Hazing Policy acknowledgement form that detailed Northwestern's definition of hazing, explained that hazing was forbidden, and set forth that hazing activities could constitute a crime.

"It is well-known that Coach Fitzgerald worked tirelessly to create an environment where student athletes were supported and given all the tools necessary to succeed both on and, more importantly, off the field. Coach Fitzgerald always emphasized his dedication to maintaining a safe and respectful atmosphere within his program, and that dedication was backed by his actions. His antihazing initiatives were fully integrated into the operations of the team, along with numerous programs and initiatives provided by Northwestern inside and outside the Athletic Department.

"While the settlement resolves the claims brought by the players, Coach Fitzgerald's claims against Northwestern remain. He continues to assert that Northwestern illegally terminated his employment, violated an oral contract, and defamed him, causing significant damage to his sterling reputation.

"Yesterday, Northwestern tried to postpone the trial of Coach Fitzgerald's claims by nearly five months. The Court denied that motion and Coach Fitzgerald's trial will take place on November 3, 2025. He looks forward to having his day in court, where he expects a jury will hold
Northwestern and President Schill accountable for the extreme harm done to his personal and professional reputation."