The crosses- New Mexico State University (NMSU) says it plans to launch a task force to prevent hazing. The university’s basketball team has been embroiled in controversy since two players claimed they were sexually assaulted by some of their teammates.
“NMSU has taken extensive action, including but not limited to: removing the entire basketball team from its out-of-state road trip, placing the entire coaching staff on administrative leave, launching an investigation, making mental health counseling available , cancel the remainder of the season, and fire the head coach,” university officials said in a statement Wednesday.
NMSU says it will also launch a task force to facilitate implementation of preventative measures to identify and extinguish future hazing and assault incidents. “The type of behavior described in those allegations has no place on our campus,” the university stated.
Former NMSU player Deuce Benjamin, his father William Benjamin Sr., and former NMSU player Shakiru Odunewu filed a lawsuit against the NMSU Board of Regents; former head coach Greg Heiar and former associate head coach Dominique Taylor; and former NMSU players Kim Aiken Jr., Doctor Bradley and Deshawndre Washington on April 19.
The lawsuit was filed in the Third Judicial District Court in Doña Ana County.
The lawsuit alleges multiple allegations of sexual assault, harassment, and hazing against the three players that occurred from July 2022 to February 2023. It also alleges that Heiar and Taylor learned of the allegations on November 12, 2022, and did nothing to stop them. prevent them from occurring and did not report them to the appropriate authorities.
“The type of behavior described in these reports has no place on our campus, and the university will soon launch a task force to facilitate the implementation of preventative measures whose purpose is to identify and extinguish any opportunity for this to occur in the future,” NMSU state
No criminal charges have been filed in the case at this time, but on April 13 it was referred to the New Mexico Attorney General by the Dona Ana County District Attorney’s office for possible criminal charges.
