The University held a closed disciplinary hearing Thursday for the 20-year-old female student who alleged she was raped March 28 in an off-campus house by four male students associated with the Notre Dame football team.

The alleged victim and the four suspects, one former and three current football players, were previously scheduled for an April 17 hearing with the Office of Residence Life and Housing that was postponed until Thursday.

The hearing began around 9 a.m. and lasted through most of the afternoon, television statement WSBT reported.

Because of the hearing, the three suspects were not present at Thursday's football practice, the last one before Saturday's Blue and Gold game.

Head coach Tyrone Willingham told reporters Thursday that the players had not been removed from the team.

"As of now, [they're still on the team], and as far as the University is concerned, we'll work through all the University procedures," said Willingham.

The alleged victim told The Observer two weeks ago that she brought her case to ResLife April 10 when she submitted an eight-page statement detailing the events of her alleged assault.

St. Joseph County officials also have been handling the case since the woman reported the alleged rape April 6. Prosecutor Chris Toth received the case last week and said he would decide whether or not to file charges against the men within the following week.

Andrew Soukup contributed to this report.

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