Murphy Says He Wasn't Drinking

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) â€” Notre Dame forward Troy Murphy said Saturday he was not drinking at a local bar when police caught him there with fake identification. <br><br>``I was in the place and I had a

Monday, October 16th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) â€” Notre Dame forward Troy Murphy said Saturday he was not drinking at a local bar when police caught him there with fake identification.

``I was in the place and I had a fake I.D., but I wasn't drinking,'' Murphy said. ``I don't drink. It's disappointing to look on the Internet to see I was caught for underage drinking when I don't drink. Everybody who knows me knows I don't drink.''

Murphy, 20, freshman teammate Tom Timmermans, 19, and Irish football player Gerome Sapp, 19, were among the 147 minors cited Thursday in a sweep of Finnigan's Bar. Murphy and Sapp also were cited for possession of false identification.

Mike Brey, Notre Dame's new basketball coach, said he held a team meeting Friday and told the players they have a high profile and must avoid putting themselves in such positions.

Brey said Murphy understands.

``He's embarrassed about it, as we are as a basketball program,'' Brey said. ``He's disappointed in himself. I'm disappointed in him. Now, as I told him yesterday, `You have to go face the music.'''

Sapp played in Notre Dame's game Saturday. Coach Bob Davie said he has not determined whether Sapp will be punished by the team.

``There's a civil issue to look at, student affairs will look at the situation, and then if the situation dictates we have some team rules and team policies we have to initiate,'' he said.

Those cited at the bar must schedule a court date within six days and can opt for a pre-trial diversion program in which they would have to perform community service.