Notre Dame investigating 4 football players for academic fraud

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The University of Notre Dame announced Friday it is investigating suspected academic dishonesty on the part of several students, including four members of the football team.

"Because of the potential for NCAA violations, the University notified the NCAA today, and the four football players will be held out of practice and competition until the conclusion of an ongoing investigation and the University honor code process. Any possible academic dishonesty by other students will be addressed appropriately," the school said in a news release.

The Chicago Tribune said a source on campus confirmed the identities of the four players involved in the investigation -- receiver DaVaris Daniels, cornerback KeiVarae Russell, defensive lineman Ishaq Williams and linebacker Kendall Moore. Daniels, Russell and Williams are expected to be starters this season, the newspaper said.

The school's news release said, "Evidence that students had submitted papers and homework that had been written for them by others was initially detected at the end of the summer session, and referred to the compliance office in athletics on July 29. The Office of General Counsel initiated an immediate investigation.

"That investigation is ongoing. If it determines that the student-athletes would have been ineligible during past competition, Notre Dame will voluntarily vacate any victories in which they participated.

"Students who are subject to the investigation will remain enrolled until its conclusion," the release said.

The president of the university, the Rev. John I. Jenkins, said, “Integrity is at the heart of our mission and academic misconduct will not be tolerated at Notre Dame. If the suspected improprieties are proven, we will use the experience to reinforce among our students the importance of honesty in all that they do. We are also examining ways of better conveying to students that they can avail themselves of legitimate academic assistance without resorting to cheating.”