April 16, 1999

The University of Notre Dame will be asked to appear before the NCAA Committee on Infractions in connection with the case of a woman who made gifts to several Notre Dame football players. The NCAA enforcement staff has recommended that the matter be considered a secondary, as opposed to a major, rules violation. However, as has happened in other instances, the infractions committee wishes to conduct a hearing before reaching a decision.

The University has received preliminary notice of the hearing from the enforcement staff and is expected to be informed officially on April 21 (Wed.). No date has been set for the hearing.

The woman, Kim Dunbar, pleaded guilty to embezzling funds from the South Bend firm where she was employed and using a portion of those funds to pay for travel and other gifts to the Notre Dame players. The players were not implicated in the embezzlement of the funds.

The University conducted an extensive investigation of the matter and self-reported it to the NCAA beginning in March 1998.

The eligibility of current players is not an issue before the committee.