The Notre Dame men’s swimming program has been suspended from all competitions for alleged sports betting breaches.
A statement issued by the University revealed that an internal investigation has highlighted concerns over a culture of gambling within the team. The suspension is self-imposed.
The review was carried out by external investigators
“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.”
In the statement Athletic Director Pete Bevacqua said:
“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.”
He went on to add that while a small number of individuals were not involved in any gambling activities, the overall ‘cultural dynamic’ within the team led to the complete suspension of the program. He also regretted that any athletes who planned to join the program once the academic year began would have no access to competitive swimming or training through the university for the coming year.
According to reports, the majority of the swimmers on the program are suspected of placing bets on college athletics. However, the coaching staff have not been reprimanded and it is believed that the breaches were by students only.
The men’s dive team and women’s swim and dive team are not part of the program and were not a part of the investigation.
College athletes are banned from betting on NCAA sports and from sharing any information that could help someone predict the outcome of a game or event.
Following the announcement, NCAA spokeswoman Meghan Durham Wright said in a statement:
“The national office is aware that Notre Dame has declared several student-athletes ineligible in light of potential violations of sports betting rules. We continue to work with the school as it determines what occurred. The NCAA does not comment on specific eligibility cases due to student privacy laws, and we have no further comment at this time.”
Latest in a Series of Student Betting Breaches in US
Sports betting breaches by students and coaching staff at universities and colleges are on the increase in the US with several high-profile cases in recent years.
Last year 16 current and past students and coaching staff members from both Iowa State and University of Iowa were charged with illegal sports betting. Most of those were charged with tampering with records to conceal their identity and use of sports betting apps. In some cases, students were charged with identity theft.
The National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) carried out a survey on sports betting issues on college campuses in 2023. This revealed that 27% of schools were dealing with sports betting breaches. This was up from 3% in 2019. Yet despite this stat, only 23% of schools were using a sports wagering integrity monitoring service. The same study revealed that 25% of schools were aware that student athletes were harassed online or in-person by gamblers.
Olivia has worked as an editor and writer for major brands across multiple niches. She now focuses on the iGaming and sports betting industries.
The University of Notre Dame recently made the decision to suspend its men’s swimming team due to betting violations. This shocking development has left many in the sports community reeling, as Notre Dame is known for its strong athletic programs and commitment to integrity.
The suspension comes after an investigation revealed that several members of the men’s swimming team had been involved in illegal betting activities. The university’s athletic department was made aware of the situation and took swift action to address the issue.
In a statement released by Notre Dame, Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick expressed disappointment in the actions of the suspended athletes. He emphasized that the university has a zero-tolerance policy for any form of gambling or betting on sports, and that the suspension was necessary to uphold the integrity of the athletic program.
The suspension of the men’s swimming team has had a significant impact on the athletes involved, as well as the rest of the team. The swimmers will not be allowed to compete in any upcoming meets or events, and their future with the team remains uncertain.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding ethical standards in sports. Betting on sports can have serious consequences, not only for the individuals involved, but also for the reputation of the university and its athletic programs.
Moving forward, Notre Dame will be working to educate its student-athletes on the dangers of gambling and betting on sports. The university is committed to ensuring that all of its athletes understand and adhere to the rules and regulations set forth by the NCAA and other governing bodies.
While the suspension of the men’s swimming team is a disappointing setback, Notre Dame remains dedicated to promoting a culture of integrity and sportsmanship within its athletic programs. The university will continue to monitor the situation closely and take appropriate action to address any further violations that may arise.
