Several NU players discuss hazing within program

[lou v]

WildcatReport - Several Northwestern players discuss hazing within football program

We talked to several Wildcat players about their experience with hazing.

northwestern.rivals.com

 

[1830sherman]

Great work, LV. Thanks.

 

[eastbaycat99]

Thanks, Lou, excellent article. Reading it makes me think I’ll rewatch Rashomon and get more empathy for all concerned.

 

[NUCat320]

Lou, this is first-class reporting. We’re really lucky to have you. Truly, a function of the relationships and trust you’ve built with every recruit in the program over decades. Nobody else could have gotten that level of participation. Thank you.

This strikes me as a really thoughtful comment:
“There were things that made me uncomfortable, some were extreme and others weren’t. Some things would be embarrassing to repeat and discuss, but also, in a locker room with 100+ young men, won’t that exist? I know that maybe sounds unclear but I think it’s a fair assessment. The effect of those incidents on me is different vs another one of my teammates [and] how the university handles those incidents is another thing.”

Lou, did anyone comment on the Shrek’s list whiteboard, or Runsgiving/Runsmas?

 

[lou v]

Lou, this is first-class reporting. We’re really lucky to have you. Truly, a function of the relationships and trust you’ve built with every recruit in the program over decades. Nobody else could have gotten that level of participation. Thank you.

This strikes me as a really thoughtful comment:
“There were things that made me uncomfortable, some were extreme and others weren’t. Some things would be embarrassing to repeat and discuss, but also, in a locker room with 100+ young men, won’t that exist? I know that maybe sounds unclear but I think it’s a fair assessment. The effect of those incidents on me is different vs another one of my teammates [and] how the university handles those incidents is another thing.”

Lou, did anyone comment on the Shrek’s list whiteboard, or Runsgiving/Runsmas?

No comments on the whiteboard. Nothing specific on Runsgiving/Runsmas from these players, though the staffers I spoke to last weekend did confirm them.

I am with you about that comment. I told the player the same thing. There are different definitions of what hazing is or isn't, and different people may react to the incidents very differently.

 

[phatcat]

The part that resonates with me, perhaps differently than it does with others, is where the locker room is the players' domain. No coaches except game day. That sounds laudable, until even one isolated incident between to players makes you look negligent. I like to give my team a lot of self-direction, but, ultimately, I am responsible if that goes awry. A guy stops performing, there is a feud, someone harassed another. Whatever. My decision to allow X amount if self direction, with experienced professionals, is held accountable if there is a problem. I've had to fire 2 employees, around 20 years apart, due to incidents. I acted on both immediately.

In retrospect, perhaps the core issue is Fitz's unwavering trust of his players and leadership council to do the right thing, with zero checks and balances. Sure, the players could go to him, but just as surely, there was intense peer pressure not to.

 

[ashley0623]

The part that resonates with me, perhaps differently than it does with others, is where the locker room is the players' domain. No coaches except game day. That sounds laudable, until even one isolated incident between to players makes you look negligent. I like to give my team a lot of self-direction, but, ultimately, I am responsible if that goes awry. A guy stops performing, there is a feud, someone harassed another. Whatever. My decision to allow X amount if self direction, with experienced professionals, is held accountable if there is a problem. I've had to fire 2 employees, around 20 years apart, due to incidents. I acted on both immediately.

In retrospect, perhaps the core issue is Fitz's unwavering trust of his players and leadership council to do the right thing, with zero checks and balances. Sure, the players could go to him, but just as surely, there was intense peer pressure not to.

That's something where there might not be a right answer. I remember growing up, one of our coaches would always supervise the locker room, and then the kids all started a nasty rumor that went around with the parents that she was a lesbian creeping on us (even though she had a husband and kids). Now you have a coach who left the players with privacy in the locker room, and you have lawsuits for hazing.

 

[phatcat]

That's something where there might not be a right answer. I remember growing up, one of our coaches would always supervise the locker room, and then the kids all started a nasty rumor that went around with the parents that she was a lesbian creeping on us (even though she had a husband and kids). Now you have a coach who left the players with privacy in the locker room, and you have lawsuits for hazing.

That's a fair statement, and I also had a creepy junior high gym teacher. But let's draw a distinction between a guy watching you towel off vs just being present to put a damper on running and car washing. Even now, I am in disbelief that this could occur in such a widespread fashion. In fact, one of the remediations is to have a non staff member monitor the locker room. Are you more likely to exceed the speed limit if a cop is there or not.

 

[TheC]

In fact, one of the remediations is to have a non staff member monitor the locker room.

Man, you'll have to screen the applicants for that job REALLY carefully.