More B1G shenanigans? Northwestern University, you're up!

[Parliament 14,267]

https://dailynorthwestern.com/2023/07/08/top-stories/former-nu-football-player-details-hazing-allegations-after-coach-suspension/

The former player said he reported his experiences to the University in late November 2022.  He alleges that much of the team’s hazing centered around a practice dubbed “running,” which was used to punish team members, primarily freshman, for mistakes made on the field and in practice. 

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. 

 

According to the former player, team members allegedly identified players for “running” by clapping their hands above their heads around that player. The practice, the player said, was known within the team as “the Shrek clap.” 

The Daily obtained a video of a player clapping his hands during a game, which the anonymous player said was the same motion taken to signify “running.”

According to the player who spoke with The Daily, Fitzgerald repeatedly made the signal during practices when players, specifically freshmen, made a mistake. 

[cabowabo 4,492]

He done.

[Al_4_ISU 12,470]

That is fucking weird.

[Tex Long 4,409]

Seems more like stupid shit than anything else. Stupidity isn't illegal, yet... is it?

[Js1 85,445]

Just now, Tex Long said:

Seems more like stupid shit than anything else. Stupidity isn't illegal, yet... is it?

Wut. This has some weird “boys will be boys” vibes to it 

[South Austin 52,522]

1 minute ago, Tex Long said:

Seems more like stupid shit than anything else. Stupidity isn't illegal, yet... is it?

I'm not sure a school like Northwestern will consider hazing that includes a sexual component to be "stupid shit."  If Fitzgerald really knew about this, I don't see him escaping discipline that isn't at least a few games suspension. 

[Tex Long 4,409]

3 minutes ago, Js1 said:

Wut. This has some weird “boys will be boys” vibes to it 

More stupid than weird.

 

[Josef Pwag 1,740]

1 minute ago, Tex Long said:

More stupid than weird.

 

More weird than stupid. If aggy were Northwestern smart, they would be doing things like this, which should tell you just how weird things have gotten up in Evanston. 

[Tex Long 4,409]

3 minutes ago, South Austin said:

I'm not sure a school like Northwestern will consider hazing that includes a sexual component to be "stupid shit."  If Fitzgerald really knew about this, I don't see him escaping discipline that isn't at least a few games suspension. 

So, it's the "sexual component" rather than hazing in general, that bothers you? What does your Mom think of it? 

[South Austin 52,522]

4 minutes ago, Tex Long said:

So, it's the "sexual component" rather than hazing in general, that bothers you? What does your Mom think of it? 

Just commenting that the optics of hazing, which is itself non-consensual, combined with the sexual element, make it hard for Northwestern to not take any action.

[Tex Long 4,409]

4 minutes ago, South Austin said:

Just commenting that the optics of hazing, which is itself non-consensual, combined with the sexual element, make it hard for Northwestern to not take any action.

At least the hazees were getting dry humped, and not soaked.

What "action" would you suggest?

[Braff Zacklin 13,629]

Worst thing to come out of this is, it has given the Milk Men an idea.

[Wilcox Cummingtonite 3,027]

[0xdeadbeef 1,651]

 

If this was alleged to have happened at a single summer training camp during a single year, Fitzgerald might be able to reasonably claim he didn't know about it. But the claim is this shit is a year-over-year tradition. The head coach definitely knew about it, and if he claims he didn't, he was asleep at the wheel.  Forcibly holding someone down and dry-humping them as a group. Forcing QB and Center to strip and take snaps. Forcing freshman to strip and do stuff against their will.  I don't really see a path for Fitzgerald to keep his job.  The 6-month investigation already said the claims are 'largely substantiated'.  This isn't some #metoo over reaction, this is the type of crap that needs to be called out and eliminated.   

The Big 10 looks like it has a coaching opening.

 

 

[conVINCEd 21,469]

This will make for some awkward conversations with recruit’s moms.

[South Austin 52,522]

19 minutes ago, Tex Long said:

At least the hazees were getting dry humped, and not soaked.

What "action" would you suggest?

As I said earlier, I think at least he gets a multi-game suspension.  Compared to some of the shit other coaches have done (e.g., DJ Durkin killing a kid), this was more humiliation than physical harm.  But this is a pretty liberal university in a time where the optics aren't good, so I don't see Fitzgerald going without some kind of disciplinary action. 

[Tex Long 4,409]

5 minutes ago, South Austin said:

... I don't see Fitzgerald going without some kind of disciplinary action. 

He's been losing way too many games for the last couple of years, so it might even be a "for cause" thing, as well. A little late in the year, but, hey, maybe Jimbo will be available, particularly if that Petrino thing doesn't work out...

[jimmyjazz 45,997]

I know a guy who tutored Fitz at Northwestern.  Says he's a good dude.

Apparently, he took a turn to the dark side.

WTF is wrong with the Big 10?  Are they just really bad at not getting caught, or are they particularly bad actors?  Penn State, Ohio State, Michigan State, Northwestern, Indiana, Maryland, ???

[immamac 42,872]

There is no room for this in today's environment. If he knew or should have known because of how commonplace it was he's gone for cause. 

If this happened at Texas eight win Esteban would be promptly shown the door just like Chris fuck head beard. 

[Pig Bellmont 8,719]

14 hours ago, Parliament said:

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.

[hookemATL 11,796]

For the life of me I will never understand this type of shit, whether it be in frats or sports or what have you.   Seems like a bunch of dudes just REALLY wanting to rub up against another man with the added benefit of humiliation and dominance of the victim. 
 

“You see Smith miss that tackle?  Oh man I’m definitely gonna teach him a lesson by dryhumping him to completion!”

 Unfortunately for them it’s actually sexual assault and should be considered an illegal and coercive act.  

Yes he should be shitcanned.

[CustersDoctor 584]

So AAU means All Anal University?

[Js1 85,445]

1 hour ago, hookemATL said:

For the life of me I will never understand this type of shit, whether it be in frats or sports or what have you.   Seems like a bunch of dudes just REALLY wanting to rub up against another man with the added benefit of humiliation and dominance of the victim. 
 

“You see Smith miss that tackle?  Oh man I’m definitely gonna teach him a lesson by dryhumping him to completion!”

 Unfortunately for them it’s actually sexual assault and should be considered an illegal and coercive act.  

Yes he should be shitcanned.

It's clear he knew about it and that he enabled it.  They mention some sort of hand sign that indicated someone was getting hazed after practice if they fucked up, and Fitz himself would make the hand signal. 

There's also photos of the white board, so hard to claim he had no idea.

And yeah, I don't understand how sexual assault and touching another dude's junk is "bonding." 

Edited July 10, 2023 by Js1

[Pato del Muerto 52,531]

3 minutes ago, Js1 said:

touching another dude's junk is "bonding." 

Many fine people are saying that’s how the gays greet each other in the gay bars. And these people are straight as an arrow so you know you can trust them. 

[Js1 85,445]

Just now, Pato del Muerto said:

Many fine people are saying that’s how the gays greet each other in the gay bars.

Damn, I have been going to the wrong gay bars for the past 16 years.

[Pato del Muerto 52,531]

2 minutes ago, Js1 said:

Damn, I have been going to the wrong gay bars for the past 16 years.

And occasionally in a professional work environment 

 

Edited July 10, 2023 by Pato del Muerto

[hookemATL 11,796]

“You don’t know what it takes to really bring a team together! A football team is all about the lifelong bonds of brotherhood!  Well that and the semen loads. Lots and lots of semen loads.”

[Jkwellborn 6,713]

It's clear he knew about it and that he enabled it.  They mention some sort of hand sign that indicated someone was getting hazed after practice if they fucked up, and Fitz himself would make the hand signal. 
There's also photos of the white board, so hard to claim he had no idea.
And yeah, I don't understand how sexual assault and touching another dude's junk is "bonding." 

Are you saying he ordered the code red?

[hookemATL 11,796]

1 minute ago, Jkwellborn said:

Are you saying he ordered the code red?

[gatormarc 911]

 

[Deej 76,855]

1 hour ago, immamac said:

There is no room for this in today's environment. If he knew or should have known because of how commonplace it was he's gone for cause. 

If this happened at Texas eight win Esteban would be promptly shown the door just like Chris fuck head beard. 

To be fair, Beard's dismissal wasn't really prompt. 

[Parliament 14,267]

1 hour ago, jimmyjazz said:

 

WTF is wrong with the Big 10?  Are they just really bad at not getting caught, or are they particularly bad actors?  

The Midwest is into some twisted shit.  (I've seen things.)

[Js1 85,445]

3 minutes ago, Deej said:

To be fair, Beard's dismissal wasn't really prompt. 

He was suspended indefinitely pending an investigation. Fitz got a little wrist slap once this came to light 

[Deej 76,855]

2 minutes ago, Js1 said:

He was suspended indefinitely pending an investigation. Fitz got a little wrist slap once this came to light 

I just remember all the squawking on here because he hadn't been fired yet. 

[gatormarc 911]

 

[LateAughtsHorn 588]

11 minutes ago, Parliament said:

The Midwest is into some twisted shit.  (I've seen things.)

It's always the normal ones. 

[VirginiaLonghorn 4,777]

What happened to the good old days?

[The Dog 44,067]

 

[Rio Don 104]

The trickle of info will soon become a flood. By the end of the week, Tom Rinaldi (not fired?) will be in Evanston with the soft focus lens. Bye Pat.

[ImissWallyPryor 9,046]

I would’ve named it “humping,” but I’m a literal type. 

[Huckleberry 33,038]

WTF is going on in here? Pretty sure sexual assault is both weird and stupid. But more importantly it's illegal and awful.  Trying to "no big deal" sexual assault is also both weird and stupid.

Yes, if what is described happened it is 100% sexual assault. 

[EastTexan 662]

4 minutes ago, Huckleberry said:

WTF is going on in here? Pretty sure sexual assault is both weird and stupid. But more importantly it's illegal and awful.  Trying to "no big deal" sexual assault is also both weird and stupid.

Yes, if what is described happened it is 100% sexual assault. 

Yes. This is correct.

[gatormarc 911]

4 minutes ago, Huckleberry said:

WTF is going on in here? Pretty sure sexual assault is both weird and stupid. But more importantly it's illegal and awful.  Trying to "no big deal" sexual assault is also both weird and stupid.

Yes, if what is described happened it is 100% sexual assault. 

"Old School" coach probably kept the same traditions going that were there when he was a player and an assistant.

Most of the defenders I've seen on the Internet seem to be of the "hazing is a natural part of football, you just don't understand because you're not a real man" line of thinking.

[Jkwellborn 6,713]

"Old School" coach probably kept the same traditions going that were there when he was a player and an assistant.
Most of the defenders I've seen on the Internet seem to be of the "hazing is a natural part of football, you just don't understand because you're not a real man" line of thinking.

Most of the hazing stuff I see is some stupid shit that does nothing for anyone. Some of it is just basically giving guys a hard time about something.

Wide spread dry humping by guys that were at the best partially nude is weird.

[The Ace of Aces 5,192]

He's 4-20 the last two seasons. He'll resign and keep a good bit of his salary and the president will clean house and the AD likely (who is only there for 2 years) will be toast. 

[ImissWallyPryor 9,046]

57 minutes ago, Parliament said:

The Midwest is into some twisted shit.  (I've seen things.)

Texans are super duper normal. 

[jimmyjazz 45,997]

25 minutes ago, gatormarc said:

Most of the defenders I've seen on the Internet seem to be of the "hazing is a natural part of football, you just don't understand because you're not a real man" line of thinking.

Nothing says "I'm a real man" like barely-simulated rape.

EDIT:  and by "barely" I mean "awfuly close to actual rape"

Edited July 10, 2023 by jimmyjazz

[South Austin 52,522]

Yeah, he gone, and in a year he'll find his way on Jimbo's aggy staff.

[Neonmoon 38,129]

2 hours ago, Pig Bellmont said:

“dry-humping” the victim in a dark locker room.

[ImissWallyPryor 9,046]

50 minutes ago, The Dog said:

 

Judging from the player photos, the haircut accusations are b.s. In fact, it appears that the black players have wider ranging hairstyles than the white players.