Notre Dame President takes responsibility to student’s death
The President of Notre Dame Reverend John Jenkins said in a statement that the university was responsible for the death of Declan Sullivan.
Sullivan was filming a Notre Dame Fighting Irish football practice on a scissor lift during a gale when the lift was blown over and the 20-year-old fell to his death.
“Declan Sullivan was entrusted to our care and we failed to keep him safe,” Jenkins said in his statement. “We at Notre Dame and ultimately I as president are responsible. Words cannot express our sorrow to the Sullivan family and to all involved.”
Sullivan’s death has come under investigation by the state, who is attempting to determine whether or not the school violated work place safety rules and industry standards. The state is focusing on head coach Brian Kelly and his staff and whether or not
they ordered Sullivan to get up on the lift and if they told him to continue taping even after winds picked up.
The day previous, Kelly held practice inside because of high winds, but the following day, despite reports of gales, decided to resume practice outdoors. Regardless, the university continue to stands behind their football coach.
“Coach Kelly was hired not only because of his football expertise but because we believed his character and values accord with the highest standards of Notre Dame. All we have seen since he came to Notre Dame and everything we have learned in our investigation
to date, have confirmed that belief,” Jenkins wrote in his statement. “For those reasons, I am confident that coach Kelly has a bright future leading our football program.”
Sullivan’s death is another blemish on Kelly’s record at the school. So far this season Kelly has not been able to turn the Fighting Irish program around, as the team currently sits at 4-5, two wins away from bowl contention.
The Irish will next take the field against the Utah Utes on Saturday 13 November.
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