Nov 12, 2022; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish mascot waves the school flag during the first quarter of the game against the Navy Midshipmen at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
- The Notre Dame suspended its men’s swim program for one academic year
- The university suspended the program after an external review found members of the team violated the NCAA sports betting rules
- Swim program members were found to be wagering among themselves on results of their competitions
The Notre Dame men’s swim program has been suspended by the university for a minimum of one academic year after an external review found the athletes were wagering on the results of their own competitions.
According to the AP, members of the swim team had set up a “makeshift, internal sportsbook” where athletes could wager on times posted by themselves or teammates at swim meets.
In a statement from University of Notre Dame Vice President and James E. Rohr Director of Athletics Pete Bevacqua, individual participation in the prohibited activities varied, but “the overwhelming cultural dynamic on the team necessitates a full suspension.”
60% of Team Participated
According to an AP report, more than 60% of the returning team, which included 25 swimmers, took part in betting on the performances of members of the team. However, there were no instances of members of the program betting against the team or any other athletic events involving Notre Dame.
The review of the incident found that some members of the team bet among themselves on bigger events, such as the Super Bowl and March Madness tournament.
The women’s swimming and diving teams were not found to be involved, neither was the men’s diving team.
“This independent, external review also documented numerous violations of NCAA rules prohibiting gambling on intercollegiate swimming and other athletic competitions despite clear and recurrent training provided to all our student-athletes by our Athletics Compliance staff about those rules. These findings are contrary to the University’s values and all that we stand for in Notre Dame Athletics. In order to ensure that this behavior ends and to rebuild a culture of dignity, respect, and exemplary conduct, we have decided to suspend the men’s swimming program for at least one academic year,” Bevacqua noted in the statement.
Bevacqua said all coaches and their staff cooperated with the review.
Outside Investigation Prompted Discovery
Note Dame noted that reports prompted an outside investigation from the law firm Ropes & Gray to do a review in June.
No coaches were dismissed as part of the investigation. Athletes who were dismissed will be allowed to seek transfers to other schools, but if they were found to have been in violation of NCAA sports betting rules they will remain suspended.
“We hope this decision sends a clear and unequivocal message reaffirming that commitment and expectation. And, as we do after any major action, we will continue to review our internal processes and reporting structures to ensure that we are doing all that we can to nurture a positive experience for all Notre Dame student-athletes. We will work even harder to provide a welcoming and safe community for all our students,” Bevacqua said.
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The Notre Dame men’s swim program has been temporarily suspended for at least one year, leaving many athletes and fans disappointed. The decision to suspend the program was made by the university’s administration in response to a number of factors, including financial constraints and a need to reevaluate the program’s long-term viability.
The suspension of the men’s swim program comes as a blow to the athletes who have dedicated countless hours to training and competing for the Fighting Irish. Many of these athletes have worked tirelessly to represent their school with pride and have had their dreams of collegiate swimming put on hold.
While the decision to suspend the program is undoubtedly disappointing, it is important to remember that the university has a responsibility to ensure the financial stability of its athletic programs. In recent years, many colleges and universities have been forced to make difficult decisions about which sports programs to prioritize in order to stay within budget constraints.
It is unclear at this time whether the men’s swim program will be reinstated after the one-year suspension period. The university has stated that it will use this time to evaluate the program’s future and determine the best course of action moving forward.
In the meantime, athletes who were part of the men’s swim program are left to navigate this uncertain period in their athletic careers. Many will likely continue to train and compete on their own in the hopes of being able to return to collegiate swimming in the future.
Fans of the Notre Dame men’s swim program are also feeling the impact of this decision. The excitement and camaraderie that comes with supporting a collegiate sports team have been put on hold, leaving many feeling a sense of loss and disappointment.
While the suspension of the men’s swim program is undoubtedly a difficult situation for all involved, it is important to remember that decisions like these are made with the best interests of the university in mind. Hopefully, this period of evaluation will lead to a positive outcome for the program and its dedicated athletes and fans.