New Mexico State suspends men's basketball 'until further notice' after hazing allegations

The chancellor called hazing a "despicable act" that "humiliates and degrades someone and has the potential to cause physical and emotional harm, or even death."
New Mexico State University basketball, March 19, 2022, Buffalo, N.Y.

New Mexico State University said it is suspending its men's basketball program "until further notice" after receiving allegations of hazing incidents on the team. 

The New Mexico Aggies were in California in preparation to play against Cal Baptist on Sunday when school administrators canceled the game and called the basketball team back to campus Saturday, Chancellor Dan Arvizu said.

"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," he said. 

The coaching staff is on paid administrative leave while the school conducts an investigation into the alleged hazing incidents, Arvizu said. Five of the team's games have not yet been canceled, but they may be given that the basketball program is suspended "until further notice," according to Arvizu.

The chancellor called hazing a "despicable act" that "humiliates and degrades someone and has the potential to cause physical and emotional harm, or even death."

The school has not shared any details about the hazing allegations but pledged to share more information as possible going forward.

The program's suspension comes after Aggies power forward Mike Peake was suspended from the team late last year. New Mexico State Police released surveillance footage in December showing Peake being attacked from behind on the campus of rival University of New Mexico. Peake can be seen pulling a gun and shooting in response to the attack, which ultimately resulted in the death of University of New Mexico student Brandon Travis, according to Fox News.