CHICAGO -- Ramon Diaz says he was just 17 years old when Northwestern University upperclassmen shaved "Cinco de Mayo" onto the back of his head as the entire football team watched.
"The holiday itself has a significant meaning to me and my family and then the Latino community at large," Diaz told The Associated Press. "I was mocked and ridiculed."
Diaz said he was the only Latino offensive lineman at a time when the athletic department's culture allowed racism and sexual abuse to thrive and caused psychological and emotional damage to athletes of color. A lawsuit announced on Diaz' behalf Wednesday is the 10th against the prestigious private university since student journalists at The Daily Northwestern published an article on July 8 that suggested Coach Patrick Fitzgerald may have been aware of hazing, leading to his firing after 17 seasons.
The lawsuits allege hazing across multiple sports that included sexual abuse by teammates and racist comments by coaches. Diaz, like other former players who have come forward, also described instances of forced nudity and sexual abuse. With Diaz's allegations, the cases now span more than 15 years, from 2005 to 2022.
Fitzgerald has maintained he had no knowledge of the hazing. A statement from his lawyers called the sweeping allegations "imprecise."
"The facts and evidence will show that Coach Fitzgerald implemented and followed numerous procedures and protocols to ensure that hazing would not occur, and he repeatedly emphasized to Northwestern's student athletes that hazing was forbidden and, if anyone was aware -- or was the victim -- of hazing, that they should immediately report it so that he could stop it," the statement said.
Northwestern announced Tuesday that it has hired former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch to lead an investigation into the culture of its athletic department and its anti-hazing procedures following allegations of abusive behavior and racism within the football program and other teams.
And in a new statement on Wednesday, Northwestern said it is investigating allegations lodged at Matt MacPherson, who remains listed on the roster as associate head football coach. At least four former players, including Diaz, accuse MacPherson of having witnessed players forced to perform pull-ups while naked as the team watched, as well as other hazing, and taking no action to stop it.
"There is no place for hazing at Northwestern," the statement said. "We will review any specific allegation involving current coaches or players and will take the appropriate disciplinary actions based on the facts."
Coaches and athletes alike made racist comments that emboldened players to target and bully athletes of color, according to Diaz, who is now a licensed clinical therapist and is pursuing a Ph.D. in neuropsychology.
"As a parent, as a clinician, as a former Division I athlete, I cannot imagine how the athletic department and the coaching staff did not know," Diaz said.
Diaz, who needed his football scholarship to afford college, said he recalled Bret Ingalls, the Wildcats' offensive line coach at the time, telling him: "I know you grew up on dirt floors, but here we try to keep things clean," and "Ramon, you can get a job easily in summer mowing the lawn or painting houses."
Ingalls, who is listed as an analyst for the University of Michigan's football team, called those allegations "baseless accusations" in an emailed statement Wednesday.
"I have dedicated my entire career to mentoring and coaching young men of all races, ethnicities, and backgrounds," the statement said. "I respect all individuals and have continued to do that throughout my coaching career."
The University of Michigan's Athletics Department said in a statement that no concerns have been raised about Ingalls during his time with the program.
Things were even worse for a Black teammate and friend, Diaz said. During a workout, another player told his friend to "do that monkey dance you do." His clothes and even his gait were ridiculed by teammates, who told him: "why are you doing that gangster walk again?" and "I know you might dress that way when you're back in the hood ... but you can't wear that stuff here."
Now 36, Diaz said he "cannot imagine" what he would do if forced nudity or sexual abuse happened to one of his three children, but he's not surprised that younger players have reported similar incidents.
"The abuse is increasing and the behaviors are becoming more more severe towards the athletes," and unless the university and the NCAA address the mechanisms enabling a damaging culture, "nothing will change," he said.
As for Diaz, he said his love for football evaporated.
"I have not watched a full football game since I graduated Northwestern University," he said. "Something was taken from me."
Former Northwestern University football player Ramon Diaz, flanked by attorneys Parker Stinar, left, and Patrick Salvi, right, speaks during a news conference in Chicago on Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023, alleging widespread hazing among athletes. Diaz's lawsuit is the 10th to date against the school in Evanston, Illinois. (AP Photo/Claire Savage)
Former Northwestern University football player Ramon Diaz, flanked by attorneys Parker Stinar, left, and Patrick Salvi, right, speaks during a news conference in Chicago on Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023, alleging widespread hazing among athletes. Diaz's lawsuit is the 10th to date against the school in Evanston, Illinois. (AP Photo/Claire Savage)
FILE - Then-University of Oregon President Michael Schill talks during an interview in Portland, Ore., Nov. 11, 2015. A former Northwestern football player filed the first lawsuit against Pat Fitzgerald and members of the school's leadership, seeking damages stemming from a hazing scandal that cost the former football coach his job. The player, identified in the lawsuit as John Doe, alleged Tuesday, July 18, 2023, in the Cook County Court in Chicago that Fitzgerald, Northwestern University President Michael Schill, the board of trustees and athletic director Derrick Gragg enabled and concealed sexual misconduct and racial discrimination. (AP Photo/Don Ryan, File)