Fallout at Notre Dame Continues

Notre Dame’s punishment from the NCAA for the relationship between a former booster and players is officially a closed matter following last month’s probation sentence.

But embarrassment over the incident continues as details trickle out from a civil suit filed by the booster’s former employer, Jerry Dominiack, to recoup some of the more than $1.4 million embezzled from him.

The latest motion, filed Thursday, identifies five players who were treated to a January 1998 party in a Chicago Bull skybox at a cost of more than $20,000.

The NCAA cleared the five before the 1998 season after the university required them to donate $75 to charity, which the school had estimated was the cost of the ticket and the T-shirt they received from the booster, Kimberly Dunbar.

Court documents show Dominiack is seeking $1,111.11 each from 1998 players Lamont Bryant, Eric Chappell, Raki Nelson, Lee Lafayette and Bobby Howard, and Ivory Covington, who played from 1994-97.

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The NCAA is following up on the University of Tennessee’s internal investigation into allegations that athletes received improper help from tutors. The university concluded in October after a monthlong investigation that actions by athletes and administrators failed to rise to the level of an NCAA infraction.

The probe was sparked by an article in ESPN’s Internet magazine Sept. 26 alleging that tutors gave improper help to athletes, particularly football players, as far back as 1995, and that supervisors failed to tell their superiors when professors complained.

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Nebraska sophomore quarterback Eric Crouch had arthroscopic surgery to clean out his throwing shoulder but is expected to be ready for spring practice. . . . Florida junior wide receivers Travis Taylor and Darrell Jackson are giving up a final season of eligibility to enter the NFL draft. . . . Former Georgia Tech player and assistant coach Mac McWhorter was hired as offensive line coach for the team.