New Mexico State suspends men’s basketball program indefinitely over multiple reported hazing incidents
The New Mexico State men’s basketball team has suspended operations indefinitely, the program announced Friday night.
A statement released by NMSU explicitly states that the decision was based on allegations entirely unrelated to “the events that happened in Albuquerque” in which forward Mike Peake was reportedly involved in the fatal shooting.
Jeff Goodman from the stadium later reported new allegations that multiple players taunted a teammate more than once, and a police report had been filed in the previous 24 hours leading to a shutdown.
In this case, the entire NMSU coaching staff has been placed on administrative leave while the school investigates the matter, a Sportzshala Sports program confirmed:
New Mexico State University is suspending its men’s basketball program until further notice. NMSU staff were recently briefed on new allegations, in addition to what happened in Albuquerque late last year, of possible violations of university policy. While these allegations are being investigated, the coaching staff of the men’s basketball team has been placed on paid administrative leave. The game against California Baptist, scheduled for February 11, will not take place.
The school’s board of trustees also released a statement supporting the school’s decision to suspend the program and investigate the allegations:
Tonight, the New Mexico State University Board of Trustees was informed of the suspension of the men’s basketball program. The council supports the actions taken by the university authorities and is confident that a full and thorough investigation will be carried out.
As of Friday, New Mexico State was 9-15 and battling 2-10 in the Western Athletic Conference. The school went 27-7 and entered the NCAA Tournament last season under Chris Jens, who left last spring to become head coach at Mississippi State. He was replaced by Greg Heyar, formerly head coach of Northwest Florida State.
Only two members of last year’s team returned for this season, and Peak was one of them. He remains off the court as he was suspended for a shooting in which four New Mexico students allegedly lured him into a dorm before a rivalry game and assaulted him. During the incident, one student, 19-year-old Brandon Travis, shot Peek in the leg, after which Peek fired back with his own pistol and hit Travis four times, killing him.
As of last monthPeak was not charged with a crime. The whole plan was reportedly in revenge for a fight between Peak and Travis at a football game between the two schools the previous year.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
