(WBBM NEWSRADIO) – Some Evanston residents are voicing concerns about the proposed $800 million rebuild of Ryan Field now that hazing allegations against Northwestern University's football team has resulted in the head coach being fired.
When the project was announced in 2021, Northwestern officials had advertised what would be "a world-class home for Northwestern University Athletics."
Residents like Aaron Cohen say continuing with the project would confirm just how backwards the school's priorities are.
"I hope the university cleans this up, but my gosh, it sure doesn't instill trust in the university's ability to carry off a $1 billion project without creating tremendous negative fallout,” he told WBBM Newsradio.
He says the scandal is a continuation of the school's pattern of avoiding transparency.
“Its first instinct seems to be to obfuscate and hide the facts. Maybe this will force a bit of a change,” Cohen said.
Related
Northwestern Head Football Coach Pat Fitzgerald was fired Monday, President Michael Schill said in a statement. He said Fitzgerald should have known about hazing incidents that were occurring on his watch.
Some residents have opposed the Ryan Field reconstruction because they say it would disrupt the community.
Related
Listen to our new podcast Courier Pigeon
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram