The New Mexico State University men’s basketball program has been suspended for the rest of the season after reviewing a police report that cited three players for false imprisonment, harassment, and counts of criminal sexual contact against a teammate.
The allegations surfaced Friday as the men’s basketball team was in Southern California preparing for a game against California Baptist University in Riverside. The game was immediately suspended, canceled Saturday’s game, and placed the coaching staff on paid administrative leave.
According to a New Mexico State University Police Department report, the victim told investigators that on Feb. 6, three members of the team held the victim down, “removed his clothing exposing his buttocks and began to ‘slap his [buttocks].’ He also went on to state that they also touched his scrotum.
The victim told police he had no choice but to let this happen “because it’s a 3-on-1 type of situation.” The victim said other incidents had been occurring since last July or August, and that inappropriate physical and sexual touching by his teammates had been occurring in the locker room and on road trips.
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On Valentine’s Day, New Mexico State fired men’s basketball coach Greg Heiar amid an investigation into alleged hazing within the program. New Mexico State chancellor Dan Arvizu announced Heiar’s firing Tuesday night. Heiar, 47, led the Aggies to a 9-14 record through 23 games in his first season.