Hazing Probe Brings Abrupt Halt To Niles North Football Season

SKOKIE, IL — Niles North High School has halted all varsity football operations due to an ongoing police investigation into reports of a hazing incident over the weekend, school officials announced Monday. In a letter to parents, Principal James Edwards said the school immediately took action after receiving reports of incident involving the varsity team and has been working in conjunction with the Skokie Police Department.

"[T]his will be a difficult time for our school," Edwards said in an email to Niles North parents. "The safety and security of our students is our top priority. We have zero tolerance of hazing or even the threat of it."

School officials did not say how many people were reported to have been involved or when the incident was reported to have occurred. Niles North lost at home 38-7 to Glenbrook South last Friday.

The Vikings had been scheduled to take on Maine South on Thursday before all varsity football operations were suspended "until further notice."

Skokie police were notified by Niles North officials on Saturday and alerted to "a possible hazing incident involving members of the football program" and immediately opened an active investigation, according to a statement released by the department Tuesday.

Interviews of students and coaching staff will take place over the next several days, police said. Police said district and school officials are fully cooperating with the probe. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Skokie — or your community. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.

"Because this is a matter that involves student confidentiality, we ask that our students and families be patient as the investigation unfolds," Edwards said.

Hazing on another Chicago area school football team was highlighted last week when five Wheaton College football players were charged with multiple felonies in connection with a March 2016 incident during which they are accused of beating, sexually assaulting and dragging a partially clothed younger student across a field, tearing his shoulders.

Anyone with information about the Niles North High School incident was asked to contact the Skokie Police Department at either 847-982-5900 or at the 24-hour automated Crime Tip Hot Line, 847-933-TIPS. Text-A-Tip is available by texting “Skokie” and your tip information to 847411. Those who wish to submit information can do so anonymously.

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