I think any way you look at this situation, there are no winners. Notre Dame doesn't want this type of activity to occur on campus and then have thrust into their faces. Ms. Seeberg didn't want the situation that transpired, whatever it was, to play out as it did. The player involved didn't want to become an alleged sexual attacker, and Mr. Seeberg didn't want to have his daughter potentially violated or dead. But the problem is, some or all of these things did happen and so now we as society are left to clean up the mess.
So what's to gain here? Ms. Seeberg is still dead. Notre Dame is still embarrassed. Mr. Seeberg is still grieving over the loss of a daughter and the player may or may not be guilty and may or may not get punished. I'm not condoning the activity at all by the player...nor am I saying that the investigation should stop or that the player should be let off the hook. I am simply saying that the investigation should be done thoroughly and carefully, even if it means retreading over worn ground, until the truth is uncovered. Who cares what media outlet thinks they are entitled to or how long it takes? The truth is what matters...not the "story" or "scoop" for the papers.
If the player is guilty, punish him according to the law in place and move on. There is no need to smear Notre Dame nor the football program. From the facts presented, it doesn't appear either did anything wrong as it relates to the incident itself (neither entity endorsed the activity). Were there mistakes made in the investigation by Notre Dame's PD? Maybe. If so, correct them and finish out the case, then take steps to make sure those mistakes aren't made again.
But, the problem here is, Ms. Seeberg's untimely passing. It's obvious that she had other mental health or emotional issues as most women who are exposed to sexual assault do not commit suicide, and we don't even know for sure yet there was a sexual assault. If you have the mindset, mental and intestinal fortitude to carry out ending your life, you have other serious mental and emotional issues that require help despite recent events. It's not something that most people just arrive at as a decision lightly.
So, I feel like, there is nothing for anyone to gain here. Notre Dame cannot get back the embarrassment of having this happen and possibly botching the investigation. Ms. Seeberg cannot get her life back. Mr. Seeberg cannot get his daughter back. Should he get justice for his daughter? Hell yes! But what is that, really? His daughter is dead. How will anything the courts do to the alleged player ever make that better? And the player? Does he get disciplined? Maybe. Even so, will it be as harsh as another person losing their life? Not at all.
So, unfortunately, there are no winners here. Even if Notre Dame made the Seeberg's rich for the universities' supposed negligence, and for the loss of their daughter, it's still only money. Money cannot replace a child (I know, I have two). It's an ugly and unfortunate situation to have happen, but the real tragedy here is that Ms. Seeberg took her life. There was no reason for that at all, and that is the worst part of the story. So let the investigation go on at a proper pace and let the fact come to light. I sincerely doubt Notre Dame has anything to hide, why would they? It would be hard to ague they are truly at fault over a situation that obviously was out of their control.
