The University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana has made the decision to suspend its men’s swimming program for a minimum of one year following the discovery of various violations of NCAA regulations related to gambling, as well as instances where team members did not treat each other with respect, the school revealed on Thursday. Notre Dame’s athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, expressed in a statement that the suspension aims to eradicate such behaviors and cultivate a culture of dignity, respect, and exemplary behavior within the program.

Not all team members were involved in the misconduct, with Bevacqua noting that coach Chris Lindauer and his staff cooperated completely with the external review. The review exposed that the coaching staff was unaware of the extent of the troubling behaviors as team members actively concealed these actions through concerted efforts. When the staff did become aware of isolated incidents of unacceptable conduct, they handled them seriously and professionally, according to Bevacqua. The university enlisted the services of the law firm Ropes & Gray to conduct the review after reports of potential misconduct came to light.

Individuals on the team are allowed to transfer to other programs, but those found to have violated regulations against gambling will face NCAA sanctions. The NCAA has recently adjusted its penalties for gambling violations, making them less severe for minor wagers and bets placed on sports that are unrelated to the athletes’ own competitions. Bevacqua emphasized the importance of the decision in maintaining the standards of behavior expected at Notre Dame and underlined the university’s commitment to fostering a positive experience for all student-athletes by continually assessing internal processes and reporting mechanisms.