(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Northwestern University is facing another lawsuit over abuse allegations in its athletic department.
Three former baseball staffers have sued the school and its former head baseball coach, claiming they were retaliated against after blowing the whistle.
Former Director of Baseball Operations Chris Beacom says he and former assistant coaches Dusty Napoleon and Jon Strauss reported Jim Foster to the university in November for allegedly creating a toxic work environment.
Among the allegations in their suit are that Foster discouraged student athletes from getting medical treatment for injuries; went on profanity-laced tirades against staff and made racist and sexist comments.
At a news conference Monday, Beacom claimed Northwestern did nothing after they came forward.
Attorney Chris Esbrook says they believe there’s proof that Foster had a toxic track record before he came to Evanston and the university did not do a sufficient background check.
The suit claims Foster was aware of the HR complaint and was free to retaliate against the men, while maintaining an abusive workplace.
A Northwestern spokesman calls the suit meritless and says the university plans to fight the suit.
Jon Yates tells WBBM Newsradio Northwestern started an investigation immediately after learning of complaints about Foster and paid Beacom and the coaches for their contracts and gave them full support.
The university fired Foster last month.
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