New Mexico state men’s basketball program suspended indefinitely after reports of harassment: Chancellor

New Mexico State University revealed the reasons behind the university’s decision to suspend its men’s basketball program and place the coaching staff on paid administrative leave.

In an email Saturday night, Chancellor Dan Arvizu said he had called for the program to be suspended “until further notice” late Friday after receiving reports of alleged bullying within the team. Though no details were given on Friday’s suspension, the university said it was unrelated to a fatal shooting in November involving power forward Mike Peake.

The university has not released details of the alleged harassment or the names of those accused of taking part.

Arvizu said NMSU players and coaches were in California preparing for Saturday’s game against California Baptist when the decision was made. The game was then called off, the team was called back to the Las Cruces campus, and the coaching staff was placed on paid administrative leave.

NEW MEXICO STATE SUSPENDS MEN’S BASKETBALL PROGRAM, PUT COACHES AND STAFF ON PAID ADMINISTRATIVE VACATION

The New Mexico State Aggies celebrate after winning the Western Athletic Conference Basketball Tournament Championship game against the Abilene Christian Wildcats at Orleans Arena on March 12, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images)

When the team arrived back on campus, Arvizu said they were “met and interviewed by university staff who are specifically trained to conduct investigations into this type of matter.”

The Chancellor said the most important part of his job is to ensure the school system’s students are safe and safe from harm, adding he was “heartbroken and sick” to hear reports of bullying.

“Verbal abuse is a despicable act. They demean and demean someone and have the potential to cause physical and emotional harm or even death,” Arvizu said. “Unfortunately, bullying can become part of corporate culture if left unchecked.”

Arvizu said the school’s policy strictly prohibits all forms of bullying and that it is something that will not be tolerated.

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He closed the email by acknowledging that many in the NMSU community want clarification on what happened and the future of the basketball program. He reiterated that the team’s operations remain suspended until further notice and additional information will be shared in the future where possible.

The suspension comes at a worrying time in the Aggies program after a Nov. 19 shooting on the Albuquerque campus of rival University of New Mexico injured Peake and killed 19-year-old UNM student Brandon Travis.

NEW MEXICO STATE BASKETBALL PLAYER WAS ‘TALKED’ BY FOUR UNM STUDENTS ON CAMPUS BEFORE DEATHLY SHOOTERS: POLICE

Police reported that Travis and three other UNM students lured Peake to campus hours before the rivalry game. He was shot in the leg during the switch and was reportedly picked up by three teammates who took him to a hospital.

Mike Peake #15 of the New Mexico State Aggies aims to pass against Jay Allen-Tovar #21 of the New Mexico Lobos during their game at The Pit on December 6, 2021 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. (Sam Wasson/Getty Images)

The game was originally rescheduled for the following day, but was rescheduled for December 3 and moved to Las Cruces. It was eventually cancelled. Peake was suspended indefinitely from the team two days later while his involvement in the shooting was investigated.

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Then-LSU assistant coach Greg Heiar, center, yells from the sidelines during the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament game against Yale in Jacksonville, Fla. March 21, 2019. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)

The Aggies, reigning champions of the Western Athletic Conference, have struggled in their freshman year under the guidance of head coach Greg Heiar and this season have posted a 9-15 record that includes 10 losses in their last 12 games.