New Mexico State Suspends Men’s Basketball Season
Editors’ note: This story contains details of gun violence.
New Mexico State is suspending its men’s basketball program’s season indefinitely following new allegations within the program, the school announced on Friday.
“New Mexico State is suspending operations for the men’s basketball program until further notice,” the statement said. “NMSU personnel were recently informed of new allegations, separate from the events that took place in Albuquerque late last year, involving potential violations of university policy. While those allegations are being investigated, the men’s basketball coaching staff has been placed on paid administrative leave. The game scheduled for Feb. 11 against California Baptist will not be played.”
The New Mexico State Board of Regents also released a statement in support of the school’s decision.
“The New Mexico State Board of Regents were informed this evening of the suspension of operations for the men’s basketball program,” the statement said. “The board supports the action taken by the university leaders and is confident a full and thorough investigation will be conducted.”
According to Stadium’s Jeff Goodman, the allegations are regarding “multiple players hazing a teammate on more than one occasion,” and a police report was filed.
In November, Aggies forward Mike Peake shot and killed a New Mexico student in self-defense after being lured onto New Mexico’s campus as part of a “planned revenge beating” following an altercation between Peake and three New Mexico male students that occurred several weeks earlier.
Peake was struck with a baseball bat and was shot by 19-year-old Brandon Travis. Peake acted in self-defense and shot Travis four times as he tried to get away. Travis was pronounced dead at the scene.
Peake met three teammates after the shooting, and police later pulled over a bus bringing home the basketball team and discovered evidence related to the shooting onboard.
The new investigation into the program is reportedly separate from the incident that occurred in the fall.
