(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- There may be more legal problems ahead for Northwestern University over allegations of hazing on the football team.
WBBM Newsradio’s Nancy Harty reports some former players have hired a well-known trial lawyer.
Attorney Ben Crump calls the culture on the team “toxic, disgusting and damaging.”
In a statement announcing his firm is representing eight former football players, Crump says the coaches are responsible for enabling harassment whether or not they approved of or participated in it.
Lawyers for Crump and Chicago firm Levin & Perconti say they’ve found racial bias and psychological trauma in incidents they believe exist on other teams at the university as well.
Northwestern University says protecting students’ welfare is central to its mission and it has taken a number of steps to eliminate hazing from the football program and expects to introduce more soon.
NU President Michael Schill last week fired head football coach Pat Fitzgerald after a scandal surrounding the football team began widening. The university also fired head baseball coach Jim Foster following accusations he was creating a toxic atmosphere and pressured injured players to return too soon.
Fitzgerald has retained legal counsel and denies having knowledge of any hazing.
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