Three former staff members of Northwestern’s baseball team filed a lawsuit against the university and several of its officials Monday, alleging the school negligently hired former head coach Jim Foster and retaliated against them for whistleblowing.
Former director of baseball operations Chris Beacom and former assistant coaches Michael “Dusty” Napoleon and Jon Strauss filed the lawsuit with Chicago law firm Esbrook P.C.
Beacom and attorney Chris Esbrook described the lawsuit and answered questions from reporters at a Monday morning news conference.
“I want the university to take the safety of its student-athletes and staff seriously and not ignore serious issues like the ones I and my former colleagues blew the whistle on,” Beacom said. “We’ve come to realize that the only way true justice will be accomplished here is through the courts. … We are hoping that through this lawsuit, the truth will come out and Northwestern will change for the better.”
The complaint makes allegations including breach of contract through retaliation, negligent hiring and infliction of emotional distress. It names Northwestern, Foster, Athletic Director Derrick Gragg, Deputy Director of Athletics Monique Holland and Associate Athletic Director for Human Resources Rachel Velez as defendants.
Beacom, Napoleon and Strauss filed a formal complaint with Northwestern’s HR department on Nov. 30, 2022, outlining allegations that Foster had created a toxic and abusive work environment, made racist and...
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