New Mexico State parts with AD Moccia in wake of report on sex abuse in hoops program

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New Mexico State is moving on from athletic director Mario Moccia in the wake of an investigation that criticized the school’s handling of the sexual abuse scandal that temporarily shut down the Aggies men’s basketball program.

Valerio Ferme, who took over as university president to start the year, announced Moccia’s dismissal Thursday and that Amber Burdge, NMSU’s deputy athletic director for strategic initiatives and leadership, would be acting athletic director.

“After carefully reviewing the recent report issued by the New Mexico Department of Justice, I felt we needed a fresh start in our athletics program,” Ferme said. “I have utter confidence in Dr. Burdge’s ability to lead our Athletic Department, and look forward to working with her in the coming months.”

Ferme said Burdge played a key role in NMSU’s strategic response to hazing prevention as the school’s senior female administrator and deputy Title IX coordinator.

Two former basketball players have agreed to plea deals in the assault cases brought against them while a third is due for trial next month.

The assault allegations forced New Mexico State to shut down its 2022-23 season. In 2023, the school paid out $8 million to settle a lawsuit brought by two of the victims, former players Deuce Benjamin and Shak Odunewu, who went public with the stories of their abuse.

But also in 2023, New Mexico State gave Moccia a five-year contract extension and a $72,000 raise to $351,000 a year in the first year of the new deal, which was scheduled to end in 2028.

That deal was signed by chancellor Dan Arvizu on the same day he stepped down from his post — timing the school said was a coincidence.

The state Department of Justice review of the sexual assaults found that they “did not occur in a vacuum but were reflective of a more pervasive toxic culture throughout the program.”

“There were ample opportunities for those around the team to observe this toxic culture as it was developing, but they failed to…

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Source link : https://www.yahoo.com/news/mexico-state-parts-ad-moccia-235117838.html

Author : NBC Sports

Publish date : 2025-01-02 23:51:00

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