A former Northwestern offensive lineman is filing a lawsuit against the school, alleging he was hazed and mocked for his Mexican heritage, ESPN reported Wednesday.
Ramon Diaz, who was with the Wildcats from 2005-08, said he also experienced the sexualized acts previously alleged by other former players.
Diaz’s lawsuit claims that former offensive line coaches Bret Ingalls and James Patton made “racist, embarrassing, degrading, and harassing remarks.”
Diaz, who battled injuries throughout his career and did not appear in any games, told ESPN that the derogatory comments about his race “haven’t left me since I finished playing.” At a news conference Wednesday in Chicago, he said he attempted suicide in 2007 as a result of the “bigotry, racism and emotional abuse I suffered.”
Diaz’s lawsuit also alleges that assistant coach Matt MacPherson, now the defensive backs coach and associate head coach, and former tight ends coach Adam Cushing either witnessed the hazing or should have been aware of the mistreatment.
“There is a culture that has been condoned by the athletic department and university that has allowed these coaches to behave the way they do,” Diaz told ESPN. “I believe focus should be shifted toward the athletic department specifically, but Northwestern at large. The atmosphere will not change systematically if that does not happen.”
Patton is now the offensive line coach at Miami (Ohio). Ingalls is an offensive analyst at Michigan. Cushing coaches the offensive line at Duke.
Patton declined to comment on the lawsuit. Ingalls and Cushing did not respond to ESPN’s requests for comments.
Northwestern said in a statement to ESPN that it is reviewing the allegations against MacPherson.
“We will review any specific allegation involving current coaches or players and will take the appropriate disciplinary actions based on the facts,” the school said. “We are committed to do whatever is necessary to address hazing-related issues and ensure that our athletic program remains one that our entire community can be proud of and one that is fully aligned with and reflects our values.”
Diaz is the ninth former Wildcats player to sue the school since it fired longtime head coach Pat Fitzgerald on July 10.
Northwestern announced Tuesday that it has hired former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch to conduct an independent review of its athletics programs and culture.
