NMSU Chancellor Releases Statement on Men’s Basketball Hazing Allegations

Dan Arvizu confirmed the University is investigating allegations of hazing on Saturday.

Editors’ note: This story contains details of gun violence.

New Mexico State University chancellor Dan Arvizu released a statement on Saturday acknowledging the hazing allegations associated with the school’s men’s basketball program and confirming that he made the decision to suspend the team’s operations until further notice.

“Late yesterday, at my direction, New Mexico State University suspended operations for our men’s basketball program until further notice,” the statement began. “We took this action after receiving reports of alleged hazing incidents within our men’s basketball team.”

Arvizu confirmed that the University is conducting an investigation into the allegations.

“The most important job I have as Chancellor of the NMSU system is to ensure our students are safe and protected from harm. That’s why I was so heartbroken and sickened to hear about these hazing allegations. … I realize many in our community have additional questions about these alleged incidents and about the future of the men’s basketball team. In the near term, team operations remain suspended until further notice. We will share additional information as we can going forward.”

The hazing incident that currently has the program suspended is not related to another incident surrounding the program in the fall. In November, forward Mike Peake shot and killed 19-year-old New Mexico student Brandon Travis in self-defense from a “planned revenge beating” incident.