SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) - Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick says he is encouraging linebacker Manti Te'o to speak publicly about being the victim of a hoax involving a dead girlfriend who never existed.

Swarbrick says he believes Te'o has to explain exactly how he was duped into an online relationship with a woman whose ``death'' was then faked by the perpetrators of the hoax. Swarbrick says school officials would rather see Te'o talk about it ``sooner rather than later.''

Swarbrick says university officials understand there is more to be learned, but based on knowing Te'o he believes the linebacker is a victim. He says he will continue to believe that until given ``compelling evidence to the contrary.''

Swarbrick also says he understands why some people are skeptical about Te'o's story.