The Dark Side of Excellence: How Notre Dame’s Swimming Program Fell from Grace

As a journalist who has spent years covering the world of collegiate athletics, I have always been fascinated by the pressures and expectations that come with competing at the highest level. But even I was shocked to hear the news that the University of Notre Dame had suspended its men’s swimming program for the 2024-25 academic year.

According to a statement from Notre Dame’s Vice President and Director of Athletics Pete Bevacqua, an external review of the team uncovered a “deeply embedded team culture dismissive of Notre Dame’s standards for student-athletes” along with multiple violations of NCAA rules prohibiting gambling. But what led to this point?

The review, conducted by Notre Dame and the law firm of Ropes & Gray LLP, found that the majority of the team’s members participated in the misconduct. According to reporting from Sports Illustrated, the team had developed its own sports book to wager on various members’ swimming performances. Yes, you read that right - a group of student-athletes, who are supposed to be representing their university with integrity and sportsmanship, were running their own underground betting operation.

But the problems didn’t stop there. The review also uncovered a range of additional concerning behaviors throughout the program, including a culture of disrespect and disregard for the university’s values. It’s a shocking revelation, especially given the team’s recent success on the national stage.

Just five months ago, the program claimed its first top-10 finish at the NCAA championships, and sent its first United States representative, freestyler Chris Guiliano, to the Olympics. But it seems that all that success came at a cost.

So what went wrong? How did a program that was seemingly on top of the world end up being suspended for an entire year? The answer lies in the very culture that was supposed to drive them to success.

When you create an environment where winning is the only thing that matters, where athletes feel pressure to perform at all costs, you create a breeding ground for disaster. And that’s exactly what happened at Notre Dame.

The suspension is a wake-up call for the university, and for the world of collegiate athletics as a whole. It’s a reminder that we need to take a step back and re-evaluate what we’re doing. Are we creating an environment where student-athletes can thrive, both on and off the field? Or are we sacrificing their well-being for the sake of winning?

As Bevacqua said in his statement, “We hope this decision sends a clear and unequivocal message reaffirming that commitment and expectation.” But it’s not just about sending a message - it’s about creating real change.

The athletes who were involved in this scandal will have to live with the consequences of their actions. But the real question is, what will the university do to prevent this from happening again? Will they take steps to create a healthier culture, one that prioritizes the well-being of their student-athletes above all else?

Only time will tell.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish logo

A standard college swimming pool

The athletes who were involved in this scandal will have to live with the consequences of their actions. But as for me, I’ll be keeping a close eye on the situation. I want to see real change, not just a slap on the wrist.

As always, you can follow me on Twitter for more updates on this story.

Aftermath of the Scandal

The aftermath of the scandal has left many in the Notre Dame community reeling. While the suspension is a clear punishment for the team’s actions, many are left wondering what could have been done to prevent this.

One thing is clear - the university needs to take a hard look at its athletic programs and ask some tough questions. Are we creating an environment where student-athletes feel pressure to perform at all costs? Are we providing them with the support and resources they need to succeed?

The answers to these questions will be crucial in determining the future of Notre Dame athletics. Will they be able to bounce back from this scandal, or will it be a permanent stain on their reputation?

Only time will tell.

The beautiful campus of Notre Dame

As for the athletes who were involved in the scandal, they will have to live with the consequences of their actions. But for now, the focus needs to be on the university and what they will do to prevent this from happening again.

Conclusion

The suspension of the Notre Dame men’s swimming program is a wake-up call for the university and the world of collegiate athletics. It’s a reminder that winning isn’t everything, and that we need to prioritize the well-being of our student-athletes above all else.

I hope that the university will take this opportunity to create real change, to create an environment where student-athletes can thrive both on and off the field. But until then, I’ll be keeping a close eye on the situation.

As always, thanks for reading!

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