The University of Notre Dame men's rugby team has been sanctioned by DIA for eligibility violations.

According to the DIA ruling, Notre Dame fielded players Max Coduti, Thomas Cunningham, and Chas Sasiaduk during eight games in the fall. Notre Dame plays an independent DIA schedule. The team has been suspended through June 1, 2020. 

Head Coach Justin Hickey received a year suspension through February 27, 2021.

The issues centers on the fact that Notre Dame has used players from nearby Holy Cross for some years. According to Hickey, Notre Dame had reached an agreement with USA Rugby that this constituted a consortium agreement, and as such Holy Cross players would be allowed to play for the Irish.

However, when Notre Dame joined DIA, the program was informed that the consortium agreement was not valid. According to the ruling by the DIA Disciplinary Committee, attempts to find documents for the old USA Rugby agreement were not successful. 

(Addendum: There does appear to be a consortium agreement between Notre Dame, Holy Cross, and Saint Mary's. See here>>)

In October of 2018, DIA gave a one-time waiver for Holy Cross players for the 2018-19 season. But that waiver would not last for 2019-20.

But Coduti, Cunningham, and Sasiaduk played throughout the fall despite being Holy Cross students.

DIA's leadership asked for the team's fall registration forms by October 1, 2019, and did not receive them until December 5. 

Reports are that Notre Dame will be leaving DIA, but that has not been confirmed. A call to Justin Hickey was not immediately returned. Hickey replied to a call to him to say that an appeal has been started, and he could not say more until the process is over.

Disciplinary Committee Members:

Gary Lee Heavner, Judicial Officer
Paul Keeler, D1A Disciplinary Committee Member
Sean Duffy, D1A Disciplinary Committee Member
Tim O’Brien, D1A Disciplinary Committee Member

There is, of course, more to this story.