Atlantic Coast Conference commissioner Jim Phillips says he never 鈥渃ondoned or tolerated inappropriate conduct鈥� against athletes as Northwestern's athletics director in the wake of that school's hazing scandal, which has led to at least three lawsuits and the firing of football coach Pat Fitzgerald.

Phillips has been named as a defendant for two of the lawsuits along with other university leaders in their oversight roles. The first complaint followed by another as 鈥淛ohn Doe 3鈥� on Thursday.

鈥淭his has been a difficult time for the Northwestern University community, a place that my entire family called home,鈥� Phillips said in a statement Thursday. "Over my 30-year career in intercollegiate athletics, my highest priority has always been the health and safety of all student-athletes.

"Hazing is completely unacceptable anywhere, and my heart goes out to anyone who carries the burden of having been mistreated. Any allegation that I ever condoned or tolerated inappropriate conduct against student-athletes is absolutely false. I will vigorously defend myself against any suggestion to the contrary.鈥�

The John Doe plaintiffs who have named Phillips as a defendant were members of the football team from 2018-22, which overlaps the final years of Phillips' tenure .

Each complaint alleges 鈥渓ongstanding issues involving hazing and bullying that takes on a sexual and/or racist tone鈥� and accuses Fitzgerald of enabling 鈥渁 culture of racism and/or other microaggressions鈥� on the football team. Attorneys have said misconduct extended to other sports as well.

by a former Northwestern football player, though that complaint didn't name Phillips as a defendant.

The ACC will hold its preseason football media days next week in Charlotte. Phillips is scheduled to hold his annual commissioner's forum Tuesday morning.