Noted civil-rights attorney Ben Crump said his law firm and other attorneys have received reports of hazing within Northwestern University's athletic program, impacting the school's football, baseball and softball teams, according to ESPN.
Crump and Chicago attorney Steven Levin have not filed a lawsuit yet on behalf of any athletes, but plan to do so shortly. They added that they represent 15 people and have been in touch with dozens of former athletes, mostly ex-football players.
Warren Miles Long, a running back on Northwestern's football team starting in 2013, said players were placed into a culture where sexual violence and hazing were "rampant."
Northwestern's six-month investigation into hazing allegations did not find evidence that now-former football coach Pat Fitzgerald or other coaches knew of the behavior, nor did it identify any main perpetrators.
Dan Webb, Fitzgerald's attorney, echoed that conclusion in a statement. Webb also said that he would move forward to dismiss the civil suits filed against Fitzgerald.
The Chicago Tribune noted that head baseball coach Jim Foster has also been let go, having been accused of abusive behavior. Assistant coach Brian Andersona 2003 first-round draft pick of the Chicago White Sox and a member of the 2005 World Series championship teamwill replace Foster.
Fallout from the hazing scandal have included calls to temporarily halt the proposed $800-million rebuild of Ryan Field and players applying to transfer to other schools.
Andrew Davis