Originally Posted by Anonymous
Any other coach would have done the same darn thing. If you think they wouldn’t you are fooling yourself and it would be plain dense if they didn’t. Plus if we want to watch some good competition, ND needs to be in the mix

No, not every other coach would do the same thing. As a couple of other posts have pointed out Virginia didn't do it, their coach believed in herself and her players and she challenged herself and her team to go out and compete. The Notre Dame coach did not believe in herself or her players, she circumvented the rules and willfully ignored the intent of the rule. I truly hope that her classless actions are not rewarded with an NCAA bid. Why even have the rule if they are going to allow teams to schedule additional games when the season isn't going well vs less competitive teams simply in order to bolster their record. It kind of goes against the all that athletics and fair competition are supposed to be about.



STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES FOR INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS University of Notre Dame

Throughout its long and proud history, the University of Notre Dame has embraced the philosophy that a well-rounded athletics program—including club, intramural and intercollegiate competition—comprises an integral part of Notre Dame’s educational mission. This philosophy reflects the importance of operating an intercollegiate athletics program that fully comports with the University’s aspirations as a Catholic institution. Notre Dame therefore dedicates itself to the pursuit of excellence in intercollegiate athletics within the framework of an academic community committed to the University’s educational and religious objectives. Notre Dame also commits itself to the unquestioned integrity of its athletics programs. All individuals involved, directly or indirectly, in the athletics enterprise must maintain and foster the values and goals associated with the University’s mission as a Catholic institution of higher education.
As a Catholic university, Notre Dame espouses Christian values and principles. These include the development of the human person—spirit as well as body—the pursuit of excellence in all endeavors, the nurturing of Christian character, and the call to personal integrity and responsibility. By providing a general description of the structures that support these endeavors, this document articulates the central values and expectations that guide Notre Dame’s participation in intercollegiate athletics.

COACHING STAFFS
The University strives to maintain a staff of coaches who represent the best in athletic instruction, who possess the ability to motivate and inspire, and who take responsibility for the full development of the student-athletes within their charge as students, athletes and persons. Coaches, who after all are primarily teachers, share with members of the faculty and other University personnel the obligation to educate, train and otherwise assist in the formation of students entrusted to them. Furthermore, Notre Dame recognizes the important role each coach plays in the University’s overall educational mission and makes this aspect an important part of both the coach’s position description and periodic evaluation. Because of the public nature of their work, coaches represent Notre Dame in a highly visible manner. Their words and actions should therefore reflect the University’s values and principles.
Basic Principles:

1. Notre Dame expects the personal and professional lives of its coaches to reflect the highest standards of behavior. Coaches’ actions must demonstrate that athletic success may not jeopardize institutional or personal integrity or the welfare of student- athletes.

2. Notre Dame expects its coaches to appreciate the primacy of academic life at Notre Dame and to emphasize that primacy during the recruitment and education of student-athletes and their participation in intercollegiate athletics.
2|Page

3. Notre Dame requires its coaches to adhere to the policies and procedures of the University, its conferences, and the NCAA. To that end, Notre Dame provides a comprehensive orientation to new coaches and suitable continuing education to other coaches. The University treats seriously all violations of University, conference or NCAA standards and reports such violations according to the applicable conference or NCAA procedures.