Ex-Northwestern AD Jim Phillips denies knowledge of tampering allegations

Former Northwestern athletics director Jim Phillips has spoken out about the allegations that have rocked university and college sports.

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"I will vigorously defend myself against any suggestion to the contrary," Jim Phillips said in a statement Thursday.

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Phillips was named as a defendant this week in two separate lawsuits filed on behalf of unnamed former Northwestern players.

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Players have long alleged misconduct in the form of harassment and sexual abuse.

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"This has been a difficult time for the Northwest community, a place that my entire family calls home," Phillips said in the statement.

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Phillips stated that "any allegation that I have ever committed or tolerated improper conduct against student-athletes is false."

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Many of the lawsuits filed on behalf of former Northwestern players have focused on broader institutional issues within the athletics department.

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Attorney Crump said, "It is clear to us that this is a toxic culture that was pervasive in Northwestern University's athletics department."

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