The new athletics director for the University of New Mexico already has a potential issue to sort out.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The new athletics director for the University of New Mexico already has a potential issue to sort out.
University officials confirm they are investigating an alleged incident involving at least two members of the Lobo men’s basketball team.
KOB 4 was the first to tell you about these allegations Monday evening. We spoke to the family of a walk-on player on the Lobo basketball team and briefly with the attorney representing him.
The family claims this all happened during the team’s recent trip to Palm Springs for the Acrisure Classic.
The family claims a scholarship basketball player punched the walk-on player on the flight to Palm Springs. This was allegedly over an argument concerning where the walk-on player was sitting on the plane.
The family claims the player was punched again by the teammate at the hotel the same day. They also say the victim went to the coaching staff and claims they didn’t do anything about the alleged assault.
The player who was allegedly punched was in a sling at the time because of a prior shoulder injury. The family claims the teammate punched him in that shoulder, and he had to be treated at an Albuquerque hospital once he returned from Palm Springs.
UNM isn’t naming either player, and neither are we, for now.
A university spokesperson sent the following statement to KOB 4:
“The University of New Mexico takes the safety and well-being of all our students very seriously. We are aware of an alleged incident involving members of our men’s basketball team and are carefully reviewing and assessing all of the facts. We are following all appropriate protocols and procedures in addressing this situation and are committed to addressing any misconduct appropriately. Due to federal student privacy laws, specifically the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), we cannot disclose specific details or comment further on individual student matters.”
We don’t know if the fight was actually over seats and if either player will be disciplined.
This is also unfolding as UNM’s new athletic director, Fernando Lovo, is set to begin his tenure. UNM had been searching for a new athletic director since Eddie Nunez left over the summer.
