Notre Dame’s men’s swimming programme has been suspended for at least one academic year following an external review that found team members had violated NCAA wagering regulations and failed to uphold standards of dignity and respect.

The University of Notre Dame’s athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, announced that the men’s swimming team has been handed a suspension of at least one academic year.

Thursday’s shocking announcement revealed that the decision was made after a comprehensive external investigation uncovered that the team had breached several National College Athletic Association (NCAA) gambling rules and was also grappling with issues related to team culture.

The Investigation’s Findings: “Contrary to the University’s Values”

In June, Bevacqua sent a letter to the athletic department’s staff informing them that the university had engaged a law firm to review the swimming programme after learning of potential issues.

According to an anonymous source with knowledge of the situation, team members had set up an internal sportsbook, allowing athletes to place bets on their own swimming performances as well as on other sports.

It is believed that over 60% of the returning team for the 2024-25 season (around 25 swimmers) participated in this wagering activity, betting among themselves on events such as the Super Bowl and March Madness.

The athletes reportedly established “over/under” lines for swimmers’ times in certain races and placed wagers on the outcomes.

Although the athletes did not place bets on opposing teams or other Notre Dame athletic events, according to the same source, the review uncovered “numerous violations of NCAA rules prohibiting gambling on intercollegiate swimming and other athletic competitions”.

This occurred “despite clear and recurrent training provided to all our student-athletes” by the university’s Athletics Compliance staff.

Bevacqua stated that the same investigation also “confirmed and expanded” their initial concerns about a “deeply embedded team culture” that disregarded the university’s “standards for student-athletes, including our expectation that they treat one another with dignity and respect”.

According to the source, the team had created a group text chat filled with derogatory messages and remarks.

However, no evidence of physical abuse or hazing was found.

“These findings are contrary to the university’s values and all that we stand for in Notre Dame Athletics,” said Bevacqua.

Coaching Staff Members Unaware of the Issues

Bevacqua further explained that the coaching staff, who fully cooperated with the review, were unaware of the gambling activities or the full extent of the team’s troubling behaviours.

When they became aware of a series of isolated incidents, they addressed them with seriousness and professionalism, Bevacqua noted.

Head coach Chris Lindauer and his staff were not subject to any disciplinary measures.

While not all team members were involved, “the overwhelming cultural dynamic on the team necessitates a full suspension,” Bevacqua said in his statement.

He added that the university “profoundly” regrets that the small number of team members who did not engage in the misconduct, or who were planning to join the team this autumn, will also suffer the consequences of the suspension.

Athletes who wish to transfer, including incoming freshmen, will have the opportunity to do so before classes begin on 27th August.

The women’s swimming team and the men’s and women’s diving teams were not involved in or affected by the suspension.

Last September, Iowa State football star Jake Remsburg was suspended for violating the NCAA’s gambling rules, joining a list of teammates, including Isaiah Lee, DeShawn Hanika, and Jirehl Brock, who were involved in the same betting scandal.

During the same month, the NCAA denied Iowa defensive lineman Noah Shannon’s appeal after he admitted to wagering on another Hawkeyes team, resulting in a season-long suspension.