Jim Foster.Photo:AP Photo/Sean Rayford
AP Photo/Sean Rayford
Northwestern University fired baseball coach Jim Foster amid allegations of bullying just three days afterfiring longtime football coach Pat Fitzgeraldfollowing an investigation into allegations of hazing and abuse.The Evanston, Ill., universitymade the announcementthat Foster, 51, had been “relieved of his duties effective immediately” on Thursday.
“Nothing will ever be more important to Northwestern than providing its students a place that allows them to develop in the classroom, in the community, and in competition at the absolute highest level, and building a culture which allows our staff to thrive,” athletic director Derrick Gragg said ina statementthrough the school. “This has been an ongoing situation and many factors were considered before reaching this resolution.”
TheTribunealso reported that the investigation found that Foster allegedly “made an inappropriate comment regarding a female staff member, and spoke negatively about his staff to other staff members.”
Jim Foster.John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty
John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty
Local radio station670 The Scorereported that nine sources claimed Foster created a toxic atmosphere within the baseball program, discouraging players to seek out medical attention, which then led to players hiding their injuries from him. The sources also alleged that Foster had used racially insensitive language.
The university’s communications department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories
Jim Foster.Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty
Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty
“I’ve seen it with my own eyes, and it’s just absolutely egregious and vile and inhumane behavior,” one player toldThe Daily Northwestern, which reported the hazing included sexualized abuse that took physical and mental tolls on several former players.
Fitzgerald denied knowledge of the ongoing hazing, but the university fired him after an investigation found the abuse was “clearly not a secret within the program.”“The head coach is ultimately responsible for the culture of his team,” Northwestern president Michael Schillwrote in an open letterearlier this week.
source: people.com
