Details of the Durham, North Carolina, school's agreement with players David Evans, Collin Finnerty and Reade Seligmann weren't disclosed in a statement on the school's Web site. The agreement will prevent the possibility of future litigation, the statement said. No suits had been threatened, school spokesman John Burness said.

The three white athletes were exonerated after an investigation by the state attorney general. The case began with a black stripper's allegations that she was assaulted at a team party.

Durham County District Attorney Mike Nifong was disbarred by the North Carolina State Bar two days ago after an ethics panel found he broke rules of professional conduct while handling the rape allegations against the players. Nifong has said he'll resign in the wake of the case.

"These young men and their families have been the subject of intense scrutiny that has taken a heavy toll," the school said in its statement. "It is in the best interests of the Duke community to eliminate the possibility of future litigation and move forward."

Burness said the agreement prevents either party from disclosing the terms.

Lane Williamson, chairman of the ethics panel that disbarred Nifong, called the prosecution of the three athletes "nothing short of a fiasco," fed by race, class and political ambition. Nifong was running for re-election in March 2006 when the dancer made her allegations.