The University of Notre Dame has denied that head football coach Marcus Freeman made physical contact with anyone during an altercation at a high school wrestling match, according to a report from the South Bend Tribune.
According to the report, an incident took place at a wrestling match at Mishawaka High School on Jan. 3 following a match involving the football coach’s son, the report says.
An assistant high school wrestling coach filed a police report after the match, accusing Freeman of battery following an altercation, according to the Tribune.
After Freeman’s son, a high school senior, lost a match, the assistant wrestling coach exchanged words with Freeman and his wife, Joanna, the outlet reports.
On Sunday, Notre Dame issued the following statement about the incident:
“Vinny Freeman, head coach Marcus Freeman’s son, was verbally accosted during and after his wrestling match by a local wrestling coach,” according to a post on social media.
“Marcus and Joanna Freeman intervened and removed Vinny from the situation. At no point did Coach Freeman physically engage with anyone. We believe that the police report, which includes video evidence, fully exonerates Coach Freeman and makes clear these accusations are unfounded.”
In 2022, Marcus Freeman visited Staten Island as the special guest speaker for the Notre Dame Club of Staten Island’s Universal Notre Dame Celebration.