HARRISBURG, Pa. -- The Philadelphia Union sacked coach Peter Nowak in 2012 after getting complaints he hazed rookie players by spanking them so hard it hurt his hand, directed them to run 10 miles in warm weather without water, and was dismissive of concussion injuries, according to newly filed court documents.
Lawyers for the team and Nowak made filings recently as Nowak tries to convince a federal court to overturn an April 2015 arbitrator's ruling that upheld the dismissal and ordered Nowak to pay the team about $400,000 in legal fees and costs.
"The hazing of rookies, by spanking them, sometimes with a sandal, was completely unacceptable," wrote arbitrator Margaret Brogan in April.