Will Mike Hankwitz get deposed

[corbi296]

Are you comfortable with the idea that the vast majority knew about/witnessed the behavior and said nothing?

Completely comfortable because they saw it as harmless locker room behavior. Like I said, perception is in the eye of the beholder. This is not as black and white an issue as some want to make it out to be particularly when one considers the significant changes in what society considers acceptable norms over the course of Fitz’s tenure. Obviously some players were not OK with it and that is a problem.

 

[FeralFelidae]

What's apparent to me is many of your claims are not supported by objective facts. At least one law firm has stated more than a week ago that they have been in contact with about 50 victims. Many were probably football players. There are additional lawsuits with more victim plaintiffs. Clearly not a small handful. There will be many more coming forward in the future. We are still in the early days of the legal proceedings. There will also be a larger number of players who will be doing their best to avoid any involvement because they were victims who later became perpetrators. You will probably never know for certain the true extent of the abuses that occurred over the past decade plus. None of us may ever know.

You and the other members of the Fitzgerald choir have made a sport of raising questions of motive as a device for calling into question the veracity of victim claims. But no choir members have questioned Fitzgerald's motives for denying knowledge of the hazing that occurred for years under his watch. From my own experience in taking depositions I can state that the two most reliable motivating factors for people to be untruthful in civil proceedings are money and reputation. Fitzgerald has both motivations in spades. Playing time or a $40 million dollar payout on a contract? Hmm...

I also don't find your assertions of his level of support from his players supported by facts. Did you survey every player that has passed through the program during his tenure? Has anyone else done such a survey? Your 95%+ claim is nothing more than anecdotal. Similarly your claim that most NU supporters do not think the conduct so far revealed justifies his firing is also only anecdotal. I think that a majority of NU supporters of the university do believe that his firing was justified by the facts so far made public. My opinion here also is anecdotal being based on articles written by some alums, statements about how the BoT voted, and the faculty letter.

Fitzgerald failed over a period of more than a decade to correct serious problems in his program. He knew or should have known about the hazing. I am not saying that he knew all the details of the more depraved conduct. But it is long past time for anyone posting on this board to state that he knew nothing. Even his most ardent supporters have conceded that hazing was and is still very widespread among college football programs. It was also common knowledge at least as far back as the 80s that a majority of high school athletes experienced hazing. And yet some deniers would push on with the truly incredible claim that Fitzgerald had no idea that hazing could be occurring in his program.

My hope is that the several lawsuits go forward to trial and judgment. I am encouraged by early statements from two firms that there will be no settlements. I hope that NU supporters who love the university agree that we need an extremely thorough investigation of the facts including the eventual identification of all perpetrators.

The Man from Manhattan Back Again



(Those with any affinity for Queen should DEFINITELY give it a spin.)

 

[zanycat]

Come on, this is rodiculous. Even the accusers acknowledge the offending players numbered only a few. There are 100+ players on an NU football roster. The vast majority of players at NU over Fitz’s 20 years neither participated in this behavior nor felt victimized by this behavior.

A few is 3. Stuff like this allegedly went on back to Walker. These so called “car washes” were said to be multiple offensive linemen for at least a decade. The Shrek gang stuff at Kenosha may have been limited but also was multiple seasons. How do you know more players / staff didn’t feel victimized or disapprove of this behavior or would have liked it to stop but didn’t have the guts or feared reprisals? Gang mentality is not a pretty or easy situation to deal with. Unfortunately this administration and Fitz have abjectly failed either thru inaction or willful blindness to stop the team culture that lead to this. The player councils failed and thereby Fitz failed. Now everyone is reaping the whirlwind, and as a fan and as 20+ year supporter I’m truly disgusted and disappointed in the whole thing. In 2023 hazing is a zero tolerance issue in most compassionate people’s books. The thing is successful football teams don’t need to have to win games.

 

[Chucksizzle1]

Lots of speculation there

 

[corbi296]

A few is 3. Stuff like this allegedly went on back to Walker. These so called “car washes” were said to be multiple offensive linemen for at least a decade. The Shrek gang stuff at Kenosha may have been limited but also was multiple seasons. How do you know more players / staff didn’t feel victimized or disapprove of this behavior or would have liked it to stop but didn’t have the guts or feared reprisals? Gang mentality is not a pretty or easy situation to deal with. Unfortunately this administration and Fitz have abjectly failed either thru inaction or willful blindness to stop the team culture that lead to this. The player councils failed and thereby Fitz failed. Now everyone is reaping the whirlwind, and as a fan and as 20+ year supporter I’m truly disgusted and disappointed in the whole thing. In 2023 hazing is a zero tolerance issue in most compassionate people’s books. The thing is successful football teams don’t need to have to win games.

A few players per year vs. a 105 man roster every year. The vast majority of players were not involved, How do I know more players didn't disapprove? Easy, because at least some would have spoken up about it and certainly so many players would not tout the praises of Fitz and the program for so many years after being gone if they felt something so morally reprehensible had gone on and been condoned during their time at NU. Human beings just don't behave that way.

The question that should be asked is why do you and others believe more players were victimized or dissaproved? It boggles my mind that so many folks on this board who call themselves NU fans can so easily be swayed into believing that the program and the coach we supported for such a long time and which churned out college graduates and upstanding citizens at a rate unparalleled in big time college athletics all of a sudden has this deep dark secret and morally corrupt culture. It's hard to reconcile the contradictions between the factual track record of the program and the the praise from the vast majority of current/former players and the accounts from a very small minority of players who years later are making these claims. Perception is in the eye of the beholder.

 

[Vassar69]

A few players per year vs. a 105 man roster every year. The vast majority of players were not involved, How do I know more players didn't disapprove? Easy, because at least some would have spoken up about it and certainly so many players would not tout the praises of Fitz and the program for so many years after being gone if they felt something so morally reprehensible had gone on and been condoned during their time at NU. Human beings just don't behave that way.

The question that should be asked is why do you and others believe more players were victimized or dissaproved? It boggles my mind that so many folks on this board who call themselves NU fans can so easily be swayed into believing that the program and the coach we supported for such a long time and which churned out college graduates and upstanding citizens at a rate unparalleled in big time college athletics all of a sudden has this deep dark secret and morally corrupt culture. It's hard to reconcile the contradictions between the factual track record of the program and the the praise from the vast majority of current/former players and the accounts from a very small minority of players who years later are making these claims. Perception is in the eye of the beholder.

Do you think it’s possible that you’ve put Fitz and his program on a pedestal? Perhaps you’re the one unable to acknowledge the reality

 

[WildcatAbe43]

A few players per year vs. a 105 man roster every year. The vast majority of players were not involved, How do I know more players didn't disapprove? Easy, because at least some would have spoken up about it and certainly so many players would not tout the praises of Fitz and the program for so many years after being gone if they felt something so morally reprehensible had gone on and been condoned during their time at NU. Human beings just don't behave that way.

The question that should be asked is why do you and others believe more players were victimized or dissaproved? It boggles my mind that so many folks on this board who call themselves NU fans can so easily be swayed into believing that the program and the coach we supported for such a long time and which churned out college graduates and upstanding citizens at a rate unparalleled in big time college athletics all of a sudden has this deep dark secret and morally corrupt culture. It's hard to reconcile the contradictions between the factual track record of the program and the the praise from the vast majority of current/former players and the accounts from a very small minority of players who years later are making these claims. Perception is in the eye of the beholder.

See Bernie Madoff. Looks can be deceiving.
Pat Fitzgerald knew about the hazing because a head coach who has been employed at the same place for nearly twenty years is control of everything football related.

Fitz is gone and the rest of the staff will be gone soon enough. The support amongst the fanbase needs to be towards Dr Schill and Dr Gragg. These are the men tasked with turning our beloved football program around. These are fantastic and brilliant administrators that the Board of Trustees have supreme confidence in.

We need to stop supporting Fitz and crew and start supporting the two men who need it the most. The two men who are giving up everything in terms of their reputations for this university.

 

[FLCatEng]

Yes I think Hank is lying.

At this moment I find it unwise to state that anyone related to the program is a "liar" based on their public comments. Probably like all of us, I have opinions on based on what that person may "gain" from making a public statement in conjunction with their actions or in-actions as we know them at this moment. That said, I will not assign disbelief to any comments made so far. People can you surprise you.

I do find it troubling that Yates and Short have recently added the ice-bath element to the "running" Dunking someone's head under water while performing a sexually insulting act should've caused an earlier reporting of these actions. This activity adds a risk of physical harm in conjunction with the mental damage and I shutter to think people watching wouldn't have stopped it. How could some of the players even think glowingly of this program? I can't fathom that we had that many "twisted" people associated with the team. Additionally, I struggle to believe the hazing was as widespread as the media stories convey, to many of us, without some earlier documented complainants. People have reasons for not reporting, but how did we have that many people that never report anything?

Right now the differences between public statements are diametrically opposed. My sense is the truth will lie somewhere in the middle.

 

[corbi296]

Do you think it’s possible that you’ve put Fitz and his program on a pedestal? Perhaps you’re the one unable to acknowledge the reality

LOL, first of all why the heck are you here? Illinois fans should post on the Illinois board.

I’ve followed the program for more than 40 years and those who know me will tell you I am as skeptical as they come. You need to earn praise from me and FItz has more than earned that praise during his multi year career at NU as a player, assistant and head coach. I’ve seen him and his players up close and my experience reconciles with the track record which shows that no P5 program in the country churns out more and better quality student athletes who graduate and go on to be outstanding accomplished citizens. I particularly know how he and His staff interact/conduct themselves on the recruiting trail and almost without fail HS coaches & recruiting industry veterans will tell you their is no staff more transparent and above board than NU’s. Tom Lemming, who has seen every coaching staff over the last 50 years operate up close, has been quoted on record saying that if he had a son who was a high caliber D1 football recruit, NU and FItz would be one of only a couple of schools that he would consider sending his son to.

 

[IGNORE2]

I am sure Hank received some retirement benefits from the university. Schill can pull the plug on those if he finds that Hank is not acting in accordance to the best interest of the institution.

Have you read about Michael Schill? He’s one of the most decorated legal scholars in the country.

Dr Schill, haven’t you better things to do than post here, like polishing up that resume.

 

[NUChicago]

Dr Schill, haven’t you better things to do than post here, like polishing up that resume.

I think he would be PERFECT at a place like Arizona State!

 

[Eurocat]

I struggle to believe the hazing was as widespread as the media stories convey, to many of us, without some earlier documented complainants. People have reasons for not reporting, but how did we have that many people that never report anything?

Bingo,

 

[IGNORE2]

I never said they were making it up. What's apparent to me is that a small handful of players over a 20 year period when hundreds of players matriculated through NU's football program are now expressing concerns with how they were treated by other players in locker room hazing rituals that over the years went overboard particularly considering some of the changes in societal norms that have occurred over that 20 year period. What's also apparent to me is the catalyst for these complaints is a player that had an axe to grind against Fitz over playing time and I don't find it coincidental that the complaint was filed days after that player was passed over for the starting QB job by a 1st year walk on QB. What's also apparent to me is that some other accusers who subsequently emerged went years without expressing any concerns and in some instances continued to publicly praise their experiences at NU and with Coach Fitz. Lastly, what's also apparent to me is that Fitz continues to be revered by 95% + of the players that went through the program and that no one has provided one shred of evidence that Fitz knew of this conduct or condoned it. That to me and most other NU supporters is not conduct that justifies firing of a man who has done so much for NU, the players and staff that matriculated through NU's football program over an almost 20 year career as NU's head coach. Fitz deserved to be held accountable for what happened on his watch but he also deserved a chance to fix it.

Adding to posts that will not get relevant response: let’s say you are, just a handful. What’s the number of players hurt, damaged, etc that you find acceptable? What’s the percentage?

Seems to be as PFs football results diminished, whenever he would make dumb decisions like no two deep, no spring game, when he would snap at reporters - the big defenders would point to the perfect, clean program as the defense. Not just the greatest ambassador for the FB team or athletics, but the whole school as his defense.

And scandal from PSU, OSU, Jim Harbaugh - and these same people would pile on and stare loudly how lucky we are to never have to worry about that problem. Many would say, during down years, that success was far less important that running a clean program.

So what’s your number of acceptable damaged players? Who, ultimately, should be in charge of these young and immature players? Since a perfectly clean program no longer is your justification, can we go back to normal standards like team performance - if so, PF deserved to be fired last year, definitely by end of this season.

If you standard now is simply PFs historical value, JoePa says hi and most of you had very unkind things to say about legacy of a man…

There is another legal term - clean hands. Don’t get embattled if you have blemishes. PF chose his attitude, his coaching staff, everything and dared anyone to challenge him driving the program into irrelevance and back into dark ages. Sadly, he did so with dirty hands, fair he now be judged. And shown the door.

 

[IGNORE2]

LOL! Deserve the chance to fix it? Did you read DailyNorthwestern article highlighting the accusations? What Fitz is accused of is borderline criminal.

Let’s see - in a meeting w schill, they agreed to a two week suspension. If PF wanted that chance, perhaps he says no. That’s not enough, that’s not fair.

I’m going to take a full season unpaid and in that time, I’m going to institute changes to clean up this program. During that time, I’m going to personally reach out to every former player and try to right any wrongs that happened. This is a bigger deal than two week and a summer Friday pr release. I’m ashamed, embarrassed and humbled but determined to fix this problem and repair the damage to our reputation along the way.

Nope, two week unpaid vacation during the summer probably seemed like over the top to PF.

 

[IGNORE2]

I think his testimony could put the student newspaper in some serious legal jeopardy. look forward to it.

Please elaborate…. (I love legal analysis from folks without a legal education)

 

[Eurocat]

If he did nothing wrong he should shrug it off, take a trip to Europe with the family (great exchange rate right now to see London or someplace) and come back refreshed. No reason to do anything like what you suggest.

 

[IGNORE2]

A few is 3. Stuff like this allegedly went on back to Walker. These so called “car washes” were said to be multiple offensive linemen for at least a decade. The Shrek gang stuff at Kenosha may have been limited but also was multiple seasons. How do you know more players / staff didn’t feel victimized or disapprove of this behavior or would have liked it to stop but didn’t have the guts or feared reprisals? Gang mentality is not a pretty or easy situation to deal with. Unfortunately this administration and Fitz have abjectly failed either thru inaction or willful blindness to stop the team culture that lead to this. The player councils failed and thereby Fitz failed. Now everyone is reaping the whirlwind, and as a fan and as 20+ year supporter I’m truly disgusted and disappointed in the whole thing. In 2023 hazing is a zero tolerance issue in most compassionate people’s books. The thing is successful football teams don’t need to have to win games.

The administration and people like corbi created PF. Perhaps that’s why he is so irrationally defensive. They granted him god status and with it comes blanket immunity.

I said a long time ago that allowing PF to be the most powerful guy on campus would lead to ruining his legacy, even as a player. This is on PF, but equally on his enablers.

 

[Medill '03]

See Bernie Madoff. Looks can be deceiving.
Pat Fitzgerald knew about the hazing because a head coach who has been employed at the same place for nearly twenty years is control of everything football related.

Fitz is gone and the rest of the staff will be gone soon enough. The support amongst the fanbase needs to be towards Dr Schill and Dr Gragg. These are the men tasked with turning our beloved football program around. These are fantastic and brilliant administrators that the Board of Trustees have supreme confidence in.

We need to stop supporting Fitz and crew and start supporting the two men who need it the most. The two men who are giving up everything in terms of their reputations for this university.

No reason to support them. They haven’t asked for it, and they haven’t earned it. Rebuilding will begin when they leave and not any sooner.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

See Bernie Madoff. Looks can be deceiving.
Pat Fitzgerald knew about the hazing because a head coach who has been employed at the same place for nearly twenty years is control of everything football related.

Fitz is gone and the rest of the staff will be gone soon enough. The support amongst the fanbase needs to be towards Dr Schill and Dr Gragg. These are the men tasked with turning our beloved football program around. These are fantastic and brilliant administrators that the Board of Trustees have supreme confidence in.

We need to stop supporting Fitz and crew and start supporting the two men who need it the most. The two men who are giving up everything in terms of their reputations for this university.

“Fantastic and Brilliant Administrators”. I just got even dumbing reading all of your posts. Tell me you are a troll without telling me you are a troll.

Thank goodness you aren’t on the pay board.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

The administration and people like corbi created PF. Perhaps that’s why he is so irrationally defensive. They granted him god status and with it comes blanket immunity.

I said a long time ago that allowing PF to be the most powerful guy on campus would lead to ruining his legacy, even as a player. This is on PF, but equally on his enablers.

You are brilliant Bob, the administration clearly is not.

 

[Smolmania]

I am sure Hank received some retirement benefits from the university. Schill can pull the plug on those if he finds that Hank is not acting in accordance to the best interest of the institution.

Have you read about Michael Schill? He’s one of the most decorated legal scholars in the country.

So that's your astute legal analysis? That a University President can "pull the plug" on retirement benefits earned by a long-time employee if he doesn't like the way that former employee relates his experiences while employed? Man I would love to go up against you in court some time...

 

[Hungry Jack]

These [Schill and Gragg] are fantastic and brilliant administrators that the Board of Trustees have supreme confidence in.

LMAO.

T-r-o-l-l

 

[IGNORE2]

If Hankwitz perjures himself under oath he faces jail time. Northwestern doesn’t owe anything to felons.

Mess with a guy like Schill and this could happen.

Ooooooo

 

[zanycat]

This is all good discourse. I was a major Fitz fan and still conflicted. My wife referred to him as my “boyfriend” for the googley eyes and chat I had with him at an alumni event. This all pains me greatly and I see this with a lot of sympathy and like a divorce. That’s said, I think there was a downward spiral with this hazing and with the last few classes must have gotten out of control. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire and Fitz had to have ignored the signs. One traumatized kid in the program is one too many. Our NU standards are and should be higher.

 

[Vassar69]

LOL, first of all why the heck are you here? Illinois fans should post on the Illinois board.

I’ve followed the program for more than 40 years and those who know me will tell you I am as skeptical as they come. You need to earn praise from me and FItz has more than earned that praise during his multi year career at NU as a player, assistant and head coach. I’ve seen him and his players up close and my experience reconciles with the track record which shows that no P5 program in the country churns out more and better quality student athletes who graduate and go on to be outstanding accomplished citizens. I particularly know how he and His staff interact/conduct themselves on the recruiting trail and almost without fail HS coaches & recruiting industry veterans will tell you their is no staff more transparent and above board than NU’s. Tom Lemming, who has seen every coaching staff over the last 50 years operate up close, has been quoted on record saying that if he had a son who was a high caliber D1 football recruit, NU and FItz would be one of only a couple of schools that he would consider sending his son to.

Confirmed, you have put them on the pedestal. Good luck, I suspect the coming years will be challenging for you. Don’t let the bitterness consume you.

 

[corbi296]

If Hankwitz perjures himself under oath he faces jail time. Northwestern doesn’t owe anything to felons.

Mess with a guy like Schill and this could happen.

LOL, get lost troll.

 

[IGNORE2]

So that's your astute legal analysis? That a University President can "pull the plug" on retirement benefits earned by a long-time employee if he doesn't like the way that former employee relates his experiences while employed? Man I would love to go up against you in court some time...

I wonder if that guy is a grandchild of Schill. Not quite smart enough to go to NU but more computer savvy and frequents the message board world regularly. In this instance, defend his aloof grandfather. I wonder if he is the 7th grandchild.

 

[WildcatAbe43]

I wonder if that guy is a grandchild of Schill. Not quite smart enough to go to NU but more computer savvy and frequents the message board world regularly. In this instance, defend his aloof grandfather. I wonder if he is the 7th grandchild.

Grandfather? Schill is still in his prime. Dude hooked up with a lot of hot professors in Oregon.

 

[FeralFelidae]

Grandfather? Schill is still in his prime. Dude hooked up with a lot of hot professors in Oregon.

How would you know?

 

[corbi296]

Grandfather? Schill is still in his prime. Dude hooked up with a lot of hot professors in Oregon.

Great. Let’s get the kids at The Daily to investigate. I am sure they would love to take down a boomer University President who used his position of power to sexually assault young female professors.