Notre Dame Men’s Swimming Suspended At Least One Year After Gambling Investigation

Notre Dame Men’s Swimming Suspended At Least One Year After Gambling Investigation

It was supposed to be the best year for the Notre Dame men’s swimming program. With the program’s first Olympian, things were looking up.

They came crashing down on Thursday as the university announced it was suspending the men’s swimming program for at least one year after an external review found several NCAA rules violations regarding gambling and that athletes on the team did not “treat one another with dignity and respect,” according to multiple reports that also stated there was no evidence of physical abuse within the team.

The women’s swim program and both diving teams are not part of the suspension.

This all coming less than two weeks after Notre Dame’s Chris Guiliano became the program’s first male Olympian and won a gold medal on the 400 free relay.

According to reports, the Notre Dame men’s team created its own sports book to wager on swim performances, sources told Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde.

The initial findings show coach Chris Lindauer cooperated with the review and was not made aware of the violations, according to Notre Dame’s athletic director.

“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,” athletic director Pete Bevacqua said in a statement. “The review found that the staff was not aware of gambling or the scope and extent of other troubling behaviors because team members effectively concealed such behaviors from the coaches and staff through concerted efforts. According to the review, when the staff became aware of certain isolated incidents of unacceptable conduct, they treated them seriously and professionally.”

Swimmers on the team will be allowed to transfer, according to the NCAA, which warned that NCAA sanctions would still follow anyone who has violated any of the gambling rules.

Notre Dame found out about the possible misconduct and NCAA violations when issues were reported to administrators and opened an investigation led by the law firm Ropes & Gray.

“We hope this decision sends a clear and unequivocal message reaffirming that commitment and expectation,” Bevacqua said. “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.”

NCAA rules on gambling with regard to money are as follows:

• Wagers of $200 or less: Sports wagering rules and prevention education.
• Wagers from $201-$500: Loss of 10% of a season of eligibility, plus rules and prevention education.
• Wagers from $501-$800: Loss of 20% of a season of eligibility, plus rules and prevention education.
• Wagers greater than $800: Loss of 30% of a season of eligibility, plus rules and prevention education.
• For cumulative wagering activities that greatly exceed $800, NCAA reinstatement staff are directed to consider whether additional loss of eligibility, including permanent ineligibility, are appropriate.