Notre Dame defends sex probe

Notre Dame's president says the university acted with integrity in its handling of sexual misconduct allegations against a football player by a St. Mary's College student who later committed suicide.

Campus police conducted a "thorough and judicious investigation that followed the facts where they led," the Rev. John I. Jenkins told the South Bend Tribune.

"I cannot stand by and allow the integrity of Notre Dame to be challenged so publicly," Jenkins said. "The values at issue go to the very heart of who and what we are at Notre Dame."

St. Joseph County prosecutor Michael Dvorak said on Dec. 16 that his office would not pursue criminal charges in the case.

Nineteen-year-old Elizabeth Seeberg died of a suspected drug overdose Sept. 10. Dvorak said Seeberg accused a student-athlete of touching her breasts on Aug. 31. He didn't reveal the name of the athlete.

Tom and Mary Seeberg of Northbrook, Ill., have criticized Notre Dame's handling of their daughter's death, telling the Chicago Tribune the school's investigation was superficial.

Dvorak said the case broke down because of inconsistencies in the statements of various people involved in the case.

Jenkins said the player and a friend still may face student disciplinary action on accusations of sending Seeberg a text message that said, "Messing with notre dame football is a bad idea."

Georgia Tech trio punished. Georgia Tech will be without three more players for the first half of Monday's Independence Bowl against Air Force because they missed a team curfew.

Coach Paul Johnson announced Sunday that starting defensive end Anthony Egbuniwe and reserve defensive backs Louis Young and Michael Peterson won't be allowed to play until the second half.

The Yellow Jackets will be missing four other players for the entire game, including receiver Stephen Hill and safety Mario Edwards. They were declared ineligible because of academic problems.