Northwestern Football

Former Northwestern cheerleader Hayden Richardson has dropped her lawsuit alleging sex trafficking and forced labor against the school.

ESPN's Adam Rittenberg noted Richardson's attorneys filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit on Monday.

The Title IX lawsuit was originally filed in January 2021, with Richardson alleging the school attempted to cover up complaints of sexual harassment toward her and other members of the cheerleading team from fans and alumni at tailgates and donor events.

Former Northwestern athletic director Mike Polisky, who was promoted from deputy athletic director of external affairs on May 3, 2021, was among those named in the lawsuit. He resigned from the position nine days later amid media backlash and on-campus protests to his hiring.

Polisky issued a statement to Rittenberg about Richardson's decision to drop the lawsuit:

A sexual harassment/trafficking lawsuit against Northwestern and several employees, including former athletic director Mike Polisky, has been voluntarily dismissed by the plaintiff, a former cheerleader at the school. Here is Polisky’s statement to ESPN. pic.twitter.com/Y0sjHQBIpJ

— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) August 28, 2024

Northwestern also issued a statement included in Rittenberg's report:

"Since Hayden Richardson's lawsuit was filed over three years ago, Northwestern has steadfastly maintained that her claims should be dismissed. She has now voluntarily dismissed her lawsuit against all defendants. The university is committed to fostering an environment in which all members of our community are safe, secure and free from discrimination or harassment in any form."

Richardson's original lawsuit alleged that university employees, including Polisky and then-spirit squad coordinator Pamela Bonnevier, ignored complaints by her and other members of the team.

Northwestern said in an October 2023 court filing it "promptly and effectively addressed the concerns Richardson raised in 2019 and in 2020." Bonnevier, Polisky, former deputy Title IX coordinator Amanda DaSilva and former associate athletic director for marketing Heather Van Hoegarden Obering filed separate responses at the same time disputing the lawsuit.

Richardson was a member of the Wildcats' cheer squad from 2018 to '20.

A conceptual image of Northwestern's temporary lakeside stadium for the 2024 and 2025 football seasons has been released, per ESPN's Adam Rittenberg.

Northwestern is sending a conceptual image of its temporary lakeside football stadium, which will host games in the 2024 and 2025 seasons, to season-ticket holders today. The image shows general concepts behind the facility, which is being designed and built by InProduction. pic.twitter.com/sksiXElvds

— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) May 30, 2024

Rittenberg offered more information on the field.

"Certain elements behind the facility, including with technology and fan experience, are still being designed," Rittenberg wrote.

"The facility will seat approximately 15,000, and seat selection will begin June 10. Coaches' booths, press box will be on the West side of the stadium."

Matt Fortuna of The Inside Zone also did as well.

Northwestern has sent previews of the Martin Lakeside Facility to season ticket holders, with information about each section: pic.twitter.com/iPVP5EbagU

— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) May 30, 2024

Northwestern needed a new home with his old one, Ryan Field, currently being rebuilt. The Wildcats are slated to begin play there in 2026.

The Wildcats will play their first five games of 2024 at the temporary stadium, beginning with Miami of Ohio on Aug. 31. Their last two home games (Ohio State on Nov. 16, Illinois on Nov. 30) will go down at Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs.

Wrigley Field is ready to host Saturday's showdown between Iowa and Northwestern.

The historic baseball field has been transformed into a football field for the matchup between the Big Ten rivals.

Iowa and Northwestern play at Wrigley Field today — just its third college football game since 1938.

Since the Cubs’ season ended, dozens of employees have been working to transform the playing surface.

(via @abovethechi) pic.twitter.com/tupbgRlvcS

— Front Office Sports (@FOS) November 4, 2023

Beautiful day for a ballgame. pic.twitter.com/UzQ2vo0Rsy

— Northwestern Athletics (@NU_Sports) November 4, 2023

Behind the scenes look at Wrigley 👀@lolowithrow with the full tour of today's gameday setup 🎥⬇️ pic.twitter.com/tqtBlAu0qi

— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) November 4, 2023

Getting ready for football at Wrigley Field. @BlakeHornTV is already on the scene. 🎥
Blake is a good follow for #Hawkeyes fans. pic.twitter.com/sjEa2kuzJ9

— Keith Murphy (@MurphyKeith) November 3, 2023

Good morning Wrigley Field! #BeatIowa pic.twitter.com/3dm9ABvr1U

— Jesse Marks (@Jessehmarks) November 4, 2023

Both teams also hyped the matchup on social media with Wrigley-themed banners that include the famous marquee and ivy.

Football. Wrigley. 𝗚𝗔𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗔𝗬.

🆚 Iowa
⏰ 2:30 pm CT
📍 Wrigley Field
📻 @WGNRadio
📺 @peacock pic.twitter.com/xqy8MRUvur

— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) November 4, 2023

GAMEDAY#Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/sHfytxEovt

— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) November 4, 2023

Football used to be a regular event at Wrigley Field. The Chicago Bears played home games at the stadium from 1921 to 1970 before moving to Soldier Field for the 1971 NFL season.

NFL Action from 79 years ago today,
October 29, 1944

Chicago #Bears 28, Cleveland #Rams 21

From Wrigley Field

Film narrated by "The Galloping Ghost", Bears legend Red Grange pic.twitter.com/1kv70GxqqH

— Kevin Gallagher (@KevG163) October 29, 2023

This will mark the third time Northwestern has played at Wrigley Field since 2010. The previous two games, in 2010 and 2021, had to find interesting solutions due to a lack of space on the field.

Since 1938, two CFB games have been played at Wrigley Field.

1st in 2010 (ILL v NW). East end zone was too close to wall in right. Played in one direction.

2nd in 2021 (PUR v NW). Both end zones used, but only one sideline was occupied.

Football at the Friendly Confines. pic.twitter.com/iaYJtAlTqC

— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) November 3, 2023

Despite being known as the Friendly Confines, Wrigley Field hasn't been particularly nice to the hometown Wildcats in their past two games. They are 0-2 and have been outscored 80-41.

Players on the opposing teams in those games had some of the best performances of their career at Wrigley.

Wrigley Field has been home to some massive @bigten stat lines. 💥 pic.twitter.com/ApYG2XDx2q

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) November 2, 2023

The first time Northwestern played at the park was against Illinois on Oct. 27, 1923, four years before William Wrigley renamed the stadium.

Game program and photos from the first time NU played at Wrigley Field, then known as Cubs Park.

The ‘Cats make the trip back down the Northwestern Elevated, now known as the Purple/Red Lines, for today’s 2:30 pm CT kick against Iowa. pic.twitter.com/6xJeW4D4kz

— Jacob Pavilack (@JacobPavs) November 4, 2023

Wildcats players Xander Mueller and Jake Arthurs, who were born in nearby Wheaton, Illinois, shared their thoughts about what playing a game at Wrigley Field means to them.

Perks of being Chicago's Big Ten Team.

🔊 @xandermueller13 and @JakeArthurs31 on what it means to play at Wrigley Field. pic.twitter.com/16EuPFxgUH

— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) November 3, 2023

Iowa doesn't have as much experience playing in a baseball stadium as Northwestern, but it's not totally unfamiliar to members of the coaching staff. The Hawkeyes beat Boston College, 27-20, in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on Dec. 27, 2017.

In honor of @HawkeyeFootball's return to a baseball stadium on Saturday for the first time since 2017's Pinstripe Bowl...

Before there was Tory Taylor at Wrigley Field, there was Nate Stanley at Yankee Stadium.

📹: @MiaOBrienTV pic.twitter.com/xq2TJemtNf

— Mitch Fick (@MCFick) November 1, 2023

As is typical for Iowa football, the offense wasn't good in the win over Boston College. Quarterback Nate Stanley went 8-of-15 for 99 yards and one touchdown. The Hawkeyes averaged 2.6 yards per carry on 39 rushing attempts, yet they still found a way to win.

Iowa will be looking to rebound after a disappointing 12-10 loss to Minnesota last week that knocked it out of control of its own destiny in the Big Ten West division.

Northwestern (4-4) has alternated wins and losses each week so far this season. The Wildcats are coming off a 33-27 victory over Maryland on Oct. 28.

Two former Northwestern football players have come forward with allegations of racism stemming from their time with the program in the early 2000s.

Noah Herron and Rico Lamitte, who are Black, detailed their experiences with the program during a news conference held by one of the attorney groups that filed lawsuits against the school following a hazing scandal that cast a dark cloud over the university and its athletics.

Herron, who played in the NFL from 2005 to '06, said, per USA Today's Tom Schad:

I personally experienced impact bias and racism. I witnessed fellow teammates experience the same. Northwestern not only treated players of color differently than our white teammates, but they tried to conform us in our appearance to resemble our white teammates—or what Northwestern would consider 'The Wildcat Way.'

Lamitte said that Black players were required to cut their dreadlocks or cornrows and that if they didn't comply coaches would tell upperclassmen on the team to "hold me down and shave it."

"I ended up cutting it myself, to avoid humiliation and embarrassment," Lamitte said, "but I witnessed several teammates—some with years of dreadlocks and cornrows—stripped of their identities in front of their peers."

Additionally, Lamitte said there was a "watermelon-eating challenge" that resulted in "jokes tossed back and forth about how racist that it was." He said that each position group on the team picked a player to compete in the challenge and that "if your group didn't pick a Black player to participate, losing was assumed, and vice versa."

Lamitte also accused former head coach Randy Walker of using an ethnic slur after an Asian-American kicker missed several field goals in a 2004 matchup against TCU. Walker allegedly said "we have an (ethnic slur) in our armor."

Herron also detailed an alleged incident from the 2000 Alamo Bowl.

"The head coach told two white position coaches that if these two Black players were able to walk off the field after their punishment, that they themselves would be fired," Herron said. "The physical punishment was so severe that one of my brothers, a grown man, defecated himself and needed to be carried off the field."

Herron and Lamitte did not directly acknowledge any wrongdoing by recently fired head coach Pat Fitzgerald, who has denied knowing about any hazing within the football program. Most of the incidents the former players described would have occurred when Fitzgerald was an assistant under Walker.

Northwestern spokesperson Eliza Larson said in an email to USA Today that the university is using former attorney general Loretta Lynch to review the athletic department's process for dealing with misconduct.

"Any claims of racially motivated hazing are not only disturbing but completely antithetical to our educational and athletics mission," Larson said. "We are and will always be committed to diversity, and we investigate any specific hazing allegation we receive to confirm that every Northwestern student feels safe and included."

At least 16 former Northwestern athletes have filed lawsuits against the school alleging hazing and racism.

Pat Fitzgerald filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against Northwestern University on Thursday following the school's decision to fire him from his position as head football coach in July.

According to Andrew Seligman of the Associated Press, attorneys Dan K. Webb and Matthew R. Carter announced Thursday that Fitzgerald is seeking $130 million. That number includes $68 million in owed salary and $62 million in future lost income.

Fitzgerald is suing for "infliction of emotional distress" and punitive damages as well.

Northwestern suspended Fitzgerald for two weeks in July following an investigation into hazing allegations within the football program and other athletic programs at the school.

While the investigation did not yield "sufficient" evidence to determine that Fitzgerald and the coaching staff knew about the hazing, it was concluded that they had "significant opportunities" to find out.

Just days after the suspension, Fitzgerald was fired in the wake of an article published by Northwestern's student newspaper, which delved deeper into the allegations.

Northwestern president Michael Schill said hazing was "widespread" and not a secret within the football program, and multiple current and former Northwestern football players said hazing continued to take place during the six-month investigation.

Per Seligman, Northwestern also fired baseball coach Jim Foster, and the school is now facing more than a dozen lawsuits that include allegations of sexual abuse by players against teammates and the use of racist language by coaches across multiple sports.

Despite the allegations that have been made, Webb insisted that Fitzgerald did not deserve to be fired, saying: "If there was ever a coach at Northwestern University who should have not been terminated, it's Coach Fitzgerald."

The 48-year-old Fitzgerald was a linebacker at Northwestern from 1993 to 1996, and he first joined the Northwestern coaching staff in 2001 as a defensive backs coach.

After stints as a linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator, Fitzgerald was elevated to the head coach position at his alma mater in 2006.

In his 17 seasons as the Wildcats' head coach, Fitzgerald posted a 110-101 record, won two Big Ten division titles and coached in 10 bowl games.

After going 7-2 and winning the division in 2020, Northwestern dipped to 3-9 in 2021 and 1-11 in 2022, the latter of which was the team's worst performance during Fitzgerald's tenure.

Following Fitzgerald's firing, defensive coordinator David Braun was named interim head coach. He has the Wildcats off to a 2-3 start this season.

The Northwestern football team was required to undergo anti-hazing training in August after head coach Pat Fitzgerald was fired the month prior amid allegations of widespread hazing in the program.

And athletic director Derrick Gragg told reporters the team took the training session "very seriously."

It was an intensive three-hour-session and [the consultants] said after about the first 10, 15 minutes, guys were relaxed, participating, understanding what they were supposed to do, and did everything that they were asked to do. I think everybody understands the importance of conducting themselves in a first-class manner, as it relates to being representatives of themselves, and their families and to this university. I think they took it very seriously.

Northwestern hired the consulting firm, Protection For All, ahead of the team's first preseason practice. The team also previously met with the Institute for Sport and Social Justice, which attempts to "create worldwide social justice through the power of sport."

More than 10 former players sued Northwestern, alleging a culture of hazing within Fitzgerald's football program. No current players were named in those lawsuits or implicated in Northwestern's investigation.

Three former baseball staffers and a former volleyball player have also sued the university on allegations of abuse.

In August, 86 former Northwestern athletes called for the firings of Gragg and university president Michael Schill, saying Fitzgerald's firing represented a lack of due process and "left a welcome mat out for the weaponization of sexual harassment, hazing, and racism allegations"

Another group of about 1,000 former athletes sent a letter around the same time that condemned hazing but added it wasn't the defining feature of Northwestern's athletic culture.

"The allegations being made are troubling and we support the University's efforts to fully investigate these claims," it read. "However, these allegations do not represent or define the overall athletics culture at Northwestern."

Following the firing of Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald last month, a group of former athletes wrote an open letter criticizing university administrators.

According to ESPN's Adam Rittenberg, the letter was signed by 86 former Northwestern athletes, including "several" of Fitzgerald's former football teammates. The letter is directed at university president Michael Schill and athletic director Derrick Gragg, accusing both of displaying "a clear failure of unbiased and principled leadership."

Fitzgerald was fired by Schill on July 10 after a report from the student publication The Daily Northwestern revealed the details of hazing and sexual abuse allegations from a former player against Fitzgerald and the football program.

The letter accuses Schill and Gragg of a lack of due process, saying that Schill "abandoned foundational legal ethics" and allowed public reactions to influence his decision to fire Fitzgerald. It goes on to push for the firings of Schill and Gragg if they don't release the full findings of a university investigation into the hazing allegations.

So far, only an executive summary of the investigation has been released. Former football players who are suing the university over hazing and mistreatment have also lobbied for the release of the full report, as has Fitzgerald's attorney.

Rittenberg noted that the university's investigation "found evidence that largely supported the player's allegations but insufficient evidence that Fitzgerald or other coaches were aware of any hazing incidents." Prior to firing Fitzgerald, Schill had initially issued a two-week suspension for him based on the findings of the investigation. He said he would reconsider the penalties a day later after the report from The Daily Northwestern was published.

The letter reads, in part:

"By willfully ignoring due process, Northwestern University's administration has left a welcome mat out for the weaponization of sexual harassment, hazing, and racism accusations to run rampant at Northwestern University. Any allegation, true or not, will be allowed to cancel anyone's career and destroy their reputation depending upon popular opinion, while simultaneously allowing the censorship of free speech. The collective gains of Northwestern's Athletic Department over the last three decades, along with Pat Fitzgerald's legacy and character, have almost been wiped out without any proof of guilt or, much less, even a thorough and proper investigation."

In addition to Monday's open letter, a separate group of over 1,000 former Northwestern athletes issued an open letter last week that defended the university's athletic culture, saying it isn't defined by hazing. However, that letter was not critical of Schill or Gragg, and it supported the university's efforts to investigate hazing claims.

A number of former Northwestern student-athletes are speaking out against the hazing allegations involving several of the university's athletic programs, including the football and baseball teams.

More than 1,000 ex-student-athletes across each varsity sport, including 277 football players and four football managers, defended the university's athletic culture and condemned hazing "in any form" in an open letter, which was obtained by ESPN's Adam Rittenberg.

"The allegations being made are troubling and we support the University's efforts to fully investigate these claims," the letter reads. "However, these allegations do not represent or define the overall athletics culture at Northwestern."

The former athletes who signed the letter include those who graduated from Northwestern between 1954 and 2023. They wrote that the university has "a remarkable culture that fosters excellence in sports, academics and community development."

"The opportunity to compete at this level in both the classroom and in our respective sports is unique and deeply valued," the letter reads. "These experiences were the building blocks for each of our lives after graduation. This is the Northwestern we proudly came to know and appreciate, and for which we are immensely grateful.

"We strongly affirm the positive experiences we had at Northwestern and, if offered, would do it all over again."

Northwestern fired head football coach Pat Fitzgerald in July following an investigation into hazing allegations within the program. Although an independent investigator found no "credible evidence" to indicate Fitzgerald knew of the hazing, university president Michael Schill said in a statement he was fired "for his failure to know and prevent significant hazing in the football program."

The university also fired head baseball coach Jim Foster last month following its investigation into "problematic behavior" by the first-year head coach. The Northwestern human resources department found "sufficient evidence" that Foster "engaged in bullying and abusive behavior," per Jonathan Bullington of the Chicago Tribune.

Northwestern is now facing more than 10 lawsuits from former football players alleging hazing and mistreatment. Additionally, three former baseball staffers filed a lawsuit Monday alleging they were retaliated against for reporting an "abusive, toxic, and dangerous environment" within the program.

Among the lawsuits is one filed by former quarterback and wide receiver Lloyd Yates, who played for the football program from 2015 to 2017. He alleges a "normalized" culture of hazing, sexual abuse and racism, according to Rittenberg.

As of last month, more than 50 former Northwestern student-athletes had spoken with the Levin & Perconti law firm about racism, hazing and sexual abuse allegations, civil rights attorney Ben Crump said, per Larry Lage and Claire Savage of the Associated Press.

Northwestern hired former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch earlier this month "to conduct an investigation of the overall athletics culture and the way the department implements accountability mechanisms," according to Rittenberg.

Northwestern football coaches and staff members have been seen wearing "Cats Against the World" shirts with the No. 51, the number worn by ex-head coach and Wildcat star linebacker Pat Fitzgerald, who was fired last month following an independent investigation into hazing allegations that reportedly occurred while he ran the program.

Several Northwestern coaches/staffers, including OC Mike Bajakian, are donning "Cats Against the World" shirts with No. 51 — Pat Fitzgerald's old jersey number — on them. pic.twitter.com/ZFQ3tNU1Vv

— Bradley Locker (@Bradley_Locker) August 9, 2023

Northwestern athletic director Derrick Gragg has not taken kindly to those shirts, releasing a statement that notably calls them "inappropriate, offensive and tone deaf."

Northwestern athletic director Derrick Gragg releases a statement expressing disappointment in the “tone deaf” T-shirts worn by coaches at today’s practice. pic.twitter.com/A6Rrc4FcrU

— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) August 9, 2023

A July statement from the "entire" Northwestern football team expressed strong support for Fitzgerald and called the hazing allegations "exaggerated and twisted." Rittenberg relayed the remarks.

Statement from Northwestern’s entire team pushing back against the allegations of hazing, which they call “exaggerated and twisted.” They also say coach Pat Fitzgerald had no knowledge or involvement in the allegations. pic.twitter.com/lMOAgCe0EB

— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) July 9, 2023

Northwestern president Michael Schill initially suspended Fitzgerald for two weeks on July 7, but he changed course three days later, citing the coach's "failure to know and prevent significant hazing in the football program."

"During the investigation, eleven current or former football student-athletes acknowledged that hazing has been ongoing within the football program," Schill wrote on July 10. "In new media reporting today, still more former Northwestern football student-athletes confirmed that hazing was systemic dating back many years. This has never been about one former student-athlete and his motives; this is much bigger than that."

Significant hazing allegations have been levied by numerous ex-players in lawsuits, as Tom Schad of USA Today summarized in late July.

Schill stated the hazing "included forced participation, nudity and sexualized acts of a degrading nature, in clear violation of Northwestern policies and values."

Fitzgerald, who played at Northwestern from 1993-1996 and even led the Wildcats to a Rose Bowl appearance, was a two-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.

He later coached at Northwestern from 2001-2022, including as head coach from 2006 until July 10 of this year. He has also denied knowledge of hazing allegations within the program, per Rittenberg.

Former North Dakota State defensive coordinator David Braun, who joined Northwestern under Fitzgerald this offseason to assume the DC position, has since been elevated to interim head coach.