Northwestern Investigating 'Bullying' By Baseball Coach: Report

EVANSTON, IL — Another day and another scandal has been uncovered involving the Northwestern University athletic program. Following Monday's firing of long-time football coach Pat Fitzgerald due to hazing allegations, first-year baseball coach Jim Foster is being investigated for "bullying and abusive behavior" claims made by current and former players.

The Chicago Tribune is reporting complaints against Foster were first reported to the school last fall prior to the start of the 2023 baseball season. Subsequently, a human resources investigation into the claims was launched.

The newspaper obtained an internal HR document regarding the probe, which says the investigation found "sufficient evidence" Foster did engage in the abusive behavior. Among the claims mentioned in the document are that the coach made "an inappropriate comment regarding a female staff member," while also speaking "negatively" about his staff to other members of the staff.

It is unknown if the university took any action against Foster. Patch has reached out to Northwestern for this story.

The probe into the baseball program comes as the university is dealing with the fallout of Fitzgerald's firing after 16 years of leading the football program. The hazing scandal was detailed by the school's student newspaper, the Daily Northwestern. Schill informed Fitzgerald, who played for the Wildcats from 1993 to 1996, he was being relieved of his duties Monday afternoon.

Schill called the Northwestern football program's culture "incredible in some ways" but "incredibly broken in others." He added that while the report from the six-month independent investigation into the hazing allegations will remain confidential, "it is important for our community to know the facts."

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