Duerson resigns from Board of Trustees

Former Notre Dame football captain and two-time All-American Dave Duerson was charged Monday with assaulting his wife early Thursday morning at The Morris Inn, the St. Joseph County Prosecutor's Office said in a statement. Duerson, a trustee since 2001, voluntarily resigned his post Friday and is also expected to resign as president of the Monogram Club, a two-year appointment that was set to expire in June, University spokesman Matt Storin said Monday. The prosecutor's office filed two counts of battery and two counts of domestic battery, each a class A misdemeanor, against Duerson in the incident, which took place in room 236 at the Morris Inn at 1:45 a.m. Thursday, according to records on the Notre Dame Security/Police (NDSP) crime blotter. An accompanying blotter record of a theft in the same room at the same time refers to a piece of jewelry that was not accounted for when Duerson and his wife, Alicia Duerson, "both cleared out of the room," NDSP director Rex Rakow said. Rakow declined to comment further on the incident, and Storin said he did not know any details about the nature of the argument. Alicia Duerson was treated at a local hospital and released, according to the prosecutor's statement. The Duersons were staying on campus for the winter meeting of the Board of Trustees. Dave Duerson, who was a member of the Board's Student Affairs Committee and Audit Committee, did not attend the trustees' scheduled Thursday or Friday sessions. Dave Duerson released a statement to the South Bend Tribune Monday night through Mitch Rosen, who described himself as a family spokesman. "As with all people, we, too, are less than perfect human beings. This is a family misunderstanding which occurred in private and has already been resolved in private," Duerson's statement read. "It has brought us even closer together. Our attorneys are working with local officials to address their concerns. We ask that you respect our privacy, particular Alicia and our children, and ask for your agreement with us in prayer. I offer my sincere apologies." The Observer was unable to reach Dave or Alicia Duerson for comment. Storin said that to his knowledge, Dave Duerson was not arrested, and added he did not know if the former Irish defensive back was brought in for questioning by NDSP or other police agencies. There is no record of Dave Duerson being booked at the St. Joseph County Jail, Deputy E. Brownbridge said. There were witnesses to the alleged crimes who gave statements to law enforcement officials, the prosecutor's statement said, but Storin said he did not know the identities of the witnesses or how many were present. Morris Inn director William Beirne declined to comment. Storin said he did not know when Dave and Alicia Duerson left Notre Dame. Board chairman Patrick McCartan recognized Dave Duerson's resignation Monday. "In view of the serious matter now confronting Dave Duerson, he has voluntarily resigned from the University's Board of Trustees," McCartan said in a statement. "We have accepted his resignation. Without prejudging any legal outcome, we believe this is the right decision, consistent with expectations for membership on the Board. Our thoughts are with everyone in the Duerson family during this difficult time." University President Father Edward Malloy also issued a statement on Dave Duerson's decision to resign. "It is regrettable but proper that Dave Duerson has resigned as a member of the University's Board of Trustees," Malloy said. "We are appreciative of his past service, but the circumstances in which he finds himself clearly make this the proper course of action. Our prayers are with Mrs. Duerson, Dave and the entire family." It remains to be seen whether there will be any changes to the status of Dave Duerson's other titles and awards at the University, Storin said. In 2001, Dave Duerson received the Notre Dame Alumni Association's Sorin Award, and has also served as a leading member of the athletic department's mentoring program, according to und.com, Notre Dame's official athletics Web site. Dave Duerson is also president, CEO and founder of Duerson Foods, LLC, and he and his wife are both on the company's Board of Directors. Duerson Foods, LCC did not return calls seeking comment Monday.