NM State calls off men's basketball program after boy stripped and molested during sick hazing ritual
LAS CRUCES, NEW MEXICO: New Mexico State University has taken a serious step against the men’s basketball team after accusations related to hazing were released via a police report. Chancellor Dan Arvizu has apparently put a halt to the program "until further notice" after a player was allegedly harassed by other players.
First-year head coach Greg Heiar and his entire coaching staff have been sent on paid administrative leave by Arvizu, who, in a statement with CBS, said, “We took this action after receiving reports of alleged hazing incidents within our men's basketball team. Our players and coaches were in California at the time preparing to play Cal Baptist. To ensure we fully understood this situation, we canceled that game, called the team back to Las Cruces, and placed the coaching staff on paid administrative leave.”
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‘Hazing has no place on our campus'
“Once our student-athletes arrived on campus, they were met and interviewed by university personnel who are specially trained to conduct investigations into these kinds of matters,” the statement by the Chancellor read, which also added, “This action is clearly needed, especially after receiving additional facts and reviewing investigation reports related to the hazing allegations involving student-athletes on the team."
“Hazing has no place on our campus, and those found responsible will be held accountable for their actions. We must uphold the safety of our students and the integrity of our university. It’s time for this program to reset. I have spoken with Western Athletic Conference Commissioner Brian Thornton earlier today and informed him of this decision,” the statement noted.
‘Removed his clothing exposing his buttocks’
The victim lodged his complaint regarding the hazing with the campus police but did not want to further pursue the case, KTSM-TV noted, citing the police report. The victim has named three people for the alleged assault, who are from the Aggies men’s basketball program. All of them have reportedly been accused of one count of false imprisonment, one count of harassment, and two counts of criminal sexual contact, which began in July or August of 2022.
The names of the complainant, as well as the suspects, have not been revealed. But the official paper stated that the latest alleged attack happened on February 6, which saw the trio holding “him down with him [the victim] facing down, removed his clothing exposing his buttocks and began to ‘slap his ass.’ He also went on to state that they also touched his scrotum.”
In his report, the victim also added that he “had no choice but to let this happen because it’s a three-on-one type of situation,” as NMSU police probe the case. The accused have not been slapped with any criminal charges yet.
‘We are saddened’
Meanwhile, the Western Athletic Conference also released a statement, which read, “The Western Athletic Conference is committed to both the mental and physical wellbeing of all of our student-athletes. We are saddened and disappointed that hazing continues to be a part of our society at any level.”
“Over the last 48 hours, our staff and membership have been working to find a solution that best protects every WAC student-athlete and institution. We fully support New Mexico State’s decision to suspend the rest of its season, as they take this time to focus on the health and safety of their student-athletes,” it concluded.
WAC commissioner Brian Thornton also added, “My heart aches for the young man tied to these hazing allegations. The final decision is in the best interest of our conference as well as providing New Mexico State with an opportunity to heal and determine the future direction of their Men’s Basketball program.”