Yet another athletic program at Northwestern University is being criticized for creating a toxic environment.
A university investigation found evidence that first-year baseball head coach Jim Foster “engaged in bullying and abusive behavior” and “made an inappropriate comment regarding a female staff member and spoke negatively from his staff to other staff members,” according to a report. from the Chicago Tribune.
Players, alumni and people around the program informed the school administration of Foster’s conduct last fall, ahead of his first season as the team’s head coach, according to the Tribune. .
Players and team staff have anonymously described Foster as “cold at times and combative at other times.”
Foster often directed “expletive tirades” at staff members and “dissuaded players from seeing the team coach” and urged players to rush out after their injuries, according to the report.
Foster’s behavior was likely one of the reasons that led to a mass exodus from the team.
Three coaches and staff are said to have left the team during last year’s season and 16 players entered the transfer portal after the team suffered a 10-40 season.
Jim Foster, Northwestern University Baseball Head CoachTNS
According to the report, at least six players met with the DA or others in the athletic department to specifically address Foster’s behavior.
Foster coached at the University of Rhode Island for nine years and at Army West Point for six years before coming to Northwestern last summer.
Northwestern fired football coach Pat Fitzgerald on Monday.PA
The allegations came to light just a day after the school fired longtime football coach Pat Fitzgerald for allegedly creating a ‘culture of racism’ and hazing.
Claims against Fitzgerald were also made by Players Anonymous, in this case to the university’s student newspaper, The Daily Northwestern.
They detailed a series of hazing rituals, including one called “running” and allegations of forced sex acts, among other charges.
Fitzgerald is expected to retaliate against his dismissal, saying in a statement that he “will take the necessary steps to protect my rights in accordance with the law.”
2023-07-12 01:47:17
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