3 former Northwestern baseball staff members sue university, former head coach
CHICAGO (CBS)-- Three former staff members of Northwestern's baseball program are filing a lawsuit against the university and recently-fired head coach Jim Foster.
Former assistant baseball coaches Dustin Napoleon and Jonathan Strauss and former director of baseball operations Chris Beacom claim there was harassment, bullying, and abuse within the program under Foster.
"The three of us witnessed - and experienced firsthand - the abusive, toxic, and dangerous environment created by former Northwestern head coach Jim Foster," Beacom said.
Beacom played baseball for Northwestern as a student, and was most recently the program's director of operations. He is now suing the university, its athletic director, and former head baseball coach Foster.
They have claimed there was a culture of racism, sexism, and retaliation against them after they reported NCAA violations by Foster to university officials. They said Northwestern swept their concerns under the rug, and retaliated by demoting them and not renewing their contracts.
"We knew that we could not just stand by and watch Coach Foster put our staff, players, and student managers in harm's way," Beacom said.
Foster was fired last month, days after Northwestern fired head football coach Pat Fitzgerald over a hazing scandal. Foster had been under investigation for allegedly creating a toxic culture during his only season at the school. Multiple assistants left after one year, and at least 15 players entered the transfer portal.
"We reported coach Foster's conduct to Northwestern, believing they would do the right thing," Beacom said. "Northwestern did not do the right thing. Instead, they swept our reports under the rug."
Beacom, Napoleon, and Strauss first filed a formal human resources complaint against Foster in November 2022.
In February of this year, Northwestern's HR responded in part: "We have concluded that coach Foster's conduct violated university policy…. Coach Foster engaged in bullying and abusive behavior, made an inappropriate comment regarding a female staff member, and spoke negatively about his staff to other staff members."
"Northwestern stood by Coach Foster, and got rid of the coaches that blew the whistle on him," Beacom said.
Foster was not fired until July, when allegations against the coach were widely reported.
"Only then did northwestern do the right thing and fire Coach Foster - but by that time it was too late for these gentlemen and student athletes who had suffer under Coach Foster," said attorney Chris Esbrook.
The lawsuit also accused Foster of encouraging staff members to violate NCAA rules, including meeting with underage players, conducting unofficial visits, and allegedly discouraging players form seeking medical attention for injuries.
In a statement, a Northwestern spokesman said, "This lawsuit is without merit and the University intends to contest it vigorously."
"When the athletic director and the University were first made aware of complaints about Coach Foster, the University immediately initiated a human resources investigation. The assistant coaches and director of operations received full support from the University, they were paid for their full contracts and, at their request, were allowed to support other areas of our athletic department as needed. Coach Foster has been relieved of his duties," Northwestern spokesman Jon Yates said in an email. "In this instance and others, the athletic director and department acted promptly and handled the complaints in accordance with established University policy and protocols."
Northwestern also said Beacom and the other two assistants received the full support of the university and were also allowed to help in other areas of the athletic department as needed.
