Lake Zurich Rape Scandal: High School Football Hazing Involved Forced Sodomy, Penis Slapping And Urination In Chicago Suburb

High school football players in a Chicago suburb sexually assaulted their teammates for decades under a hazing ritual that involved urination and slapping each other with their penises, according to a federal lawsuit filed Wednesday by two alleged victims. Antonio Romanucci, a Chicago attorney representing two former members of the 2016 football team, said the hazing tradition went on for at least 20 years and remained hidden because of " 'Lord of the Flies'-type tactics."

Coaches and administrators ignored the abuse carried out by the Lake Zurich High School football team, the lawsuit claims. "They were brutally mocked, teased, humiliated, embarrassed and emotionally harmed, all in the name of team bonding," Romanucci said at a Wednesday news conference. “These activities were happening right inside the school, inside the locker room, right below the coaches’ offices and in the showers."

The lawsuit comes after two Lake Zurich football coaches were placed on administrative leave for reasons that were not made public before a November playoff game. Lake Zurich Community Unit School District 95 also said last year it was investigating an "inappropriate activity" that happened in the locker room after a football team dinner in late October. Lake Zurich police and the Lake County State's Attorney's office ultimately opted against charges in the incident, while the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services has continued its probe.

It's unclear what exactly happened in the locker room. Police and school officials have refused to make the details public. The lawsuit also redacts some passages describing the alleged acts, but it does state that one boy was hazed in the shower. In another instance of alleged abuse, a student was forced to perform an unspecified act on another player. Players also peed on each other, use their genitals to slap their teammates in the face and forced teammates to perform oral sex on each other. Other hazing that unfolded over the years from 1997 included players being stripped naked, punched in the genitals or sodomized with broomsticks. There was also a tradition of punching and kicking naked teammates in what was known as a "birthday beatdown."

School administrators said they initiated hazing prevention programs, more locker room supervision and a tip line to report hazing or bullying in November after the complaints became public. "The district is committed to creating a positive culture that does not tolerate hazing of any kind," administrators said Wednesday in a statement.

But Romanucci said school officials have not done enough to protect students. The lawsuit seeks damages in excess of $50,000. "I don't trust that (the district will enforce an anti-bullying program) until a court tells them that they have to do it," he said.

Former head coach David Proffitt and former assistant coach and dean of students Chad Beaver resigned in January. Athletic Director Rolando Vazquez has said he will resign at the end of the school year.

Proffitt told the Chicago Tribute via text Wednesday evening: "We have always tried to do the right thing in preparing (players) for life's challenges, while keeping them and the program's best interest at heart."

He later added: "In the 11 years I have been at LZ, anytime we felt that a player was being humiliated in any way what so ever, we stopped it & made sure those involved understood the wrong in what they were doing."

Asked about the forced oral sex, Proffitt said: "Never did I know of anything like that taking place. ... I am amazed that because of one or two individuals' claims, the whole program & coaches are given a black eye."