Report: Former Northwestern OL Ramon Diaz to file lawsuit against school, defendants
According to ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg, former Northwestern offensive lineman Ramon Diaz will file a lawsuit against the University and several defendants. He is alleging there was not only hazing but also racial discrimination in the football program.
“Former Northwestern offensive lineman Ramon Diaz will file a lawsuit Wednesday against the school and several defendants, alleging hazing and racial discrimination while in the program,” Rittenberg said. “Diaz was the first ex-player to speak publicly about the hazing allegations, using his name.”
As Rittenberg mentioned, Diaz was one of the first players to publically speak out against the problems occurring in Evanston. He has not been around the program in quite some time, lasting being there during the 2008 season.
When speaking to the Daily Northwestern, Diaz said he felt like he could never be himself due to the color of his skin. He felt as if the racist incidents that occurred were part of the hazing as well, thinking the two intertwined with one another.
Diaz will now be heading to court, suing Northwestern for those incidents. He is just the latest to do so as there have been multiple lawsuits filed against the school following the firing of head coach Pat Fitzgerald.
Diaz arrived on campus prior to the 2005 season, spending four seasons with Northwestern. He was not able to get on the field too much, with injuries hampering his career. In fact, according to his official profile from 2008, he did not see any game action.
Northwestern hires former US Attorney General to lead independent review
While the University begins to go through the legal process, they have decided to run an independent review of their athletic programs. Northwestern has hired former US Attorney General Loretta Lynch to lead the investigation.
President Michael Schill released a statement on the matter, saying Northwestern is going to become a “leader” to eliminate hazing throughout college campuses across the country.
“Hazing has absolutely no place at Northwestern. Period,” Schill said in a statement. “I am determined that with the help of Attorney General Lynch, we will become a leader in combating the practice of hazing in intercollegiate athletics and a model for other universities.
“We will provide all of our students with the resources and support they need and do whatever is necessary to protect their safety and ensure that our athletics program remains one we can all be proud of.”