The University of Notre Dame has just released a statement confirming that a fifth football player has been named in relationship to an ongoing academic fraud scandal at the school.
“As Notre Dame’s internal investigation relating to potential NCAA violations reaches its conclusion, a decision has been made to hold a fifth football player out from practice and competition. As with all cases of suspected academic dishonesty, the matter will now be subject to the University’s honor code process,” John Heisler, Senior Associate Athletic Director, said in the statement.
The player in question is 3rd string strong safety Eilar Hardy. Hardy played in ten games last season including two starts after not playing at all in 2011 or 2012. The safety has 26 tackles. His career high was 8 against BYU. The 5 foot 11.5 inch senior is from Reynoldsburg, Ohio, where he attended Pickerington Central High School.
The news comes just two days before the Irish take the field against Rice in their season opener in South Bend.
South Bend Voice will have more information as it becomes available.
————
