New Mexico State University has revealed the reasoning behind the university’s decision to suspend its men’s basketball program and place the coaching staff on paid administrative leave.

In an email late Saturday, Chancellor Dan Arvizu said he asked to suspend the program «until further notice» Friday night after receiving reports of alleged hazing incidents within the team. Although details of the suspension were not announced Friday, the university said it was not related to a fatal shooting in November involving power forward Mike Peake.

The university has not shared any details about the alleged hazing incidents or the names of those accused of participating.

Arvizu said NMSU players and coaches were in California preparing for Saturday’s game against California Baptist when the decision was made. The game was then cancelled, the team called back to campus in Las Cruces, and the coaching staff placed on paid administrative leave.

STATE OF NEW MEXICO SUSPENDS MEN’S BASKETBALL PROGRAM, PLACES COACH AND STAFF ON PAID ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE

The New Mexico State Aggies celebrate after winning the Western Athletic Conference basketball tournament championship game against the Abilene Christian Wildcats at Orleans Arena on March 12, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images)

When the team returned to campus, Arvizu said they were «received and interviewed by university personnel who are specially trained to conduct investigations on these types of matters.»

The chancellor said the most important part of his job is to ensure that students in the school system are safe and secure from harm, adding that he is «heartbroken and disgusted» to hear reports of hazing.

«Hazing is a despicable act. It humiliates and degrades someone and has the potential to cause physical and emotional harm, or even death,» Arvizu said. «Unfortunately, hazing can become part of an organization’s culture, if left unchecked.»

Arvizu said that school policy strictly prohibits all forms of hazing and it is something that will not be tolerated.

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He concluded the email by acknowledging that many in the NMSU community want clarification on the incidents and the future of the basketball program. He reiterated that the team’s operations remain suspended until further notice and additional information will be shared in the future where possible.

The suspension comes at a troubling time in the Aggies program after a Nov. 19 shooting on the Albuquerque campus of the rival University of New Mexico left Peake wounded and 19-year-old UNM student Brandon Travis dead.

NEW MEXICO STATE BASKETBALL PLAYER WAS ‘LURED’ TO CAMPUS BY FOUR UNM STUDENTS BEFORE FATAL SHOOTING: POLICE

Police reported that Travis and three other UNM students lured Peake to campus hours before the rivalry game. He was shot in the leg during the exchange and was reportedly picked up by three teammates who took him to a hospital.

Mike Peake #15 of the New Mexico State Aggies looks to pass against Jay Allen-Tovar #21 of the New Mexico Lobos during their game at The Pit on December 6, 2021 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Mike Peake #15 of the New Mexico State Aggies looks to pass against Jay Allen-Tovar #21 of the New Mexico Lobos during their game at The Pit on December 6, 2021 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. (Sam Wasson/Getty Images)

The game was initially rescheduled for the next day, but was postponed to December 3 and moved to Las Cruces. It was finally cancelled. Peake was suspended indefinitely from the team two days later while his involvement in the shooting was investigated.

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Then-LSU assistant coach Greg Heiar, center, yells from the sidelines during the team's NCAA men's college basketball tournament game against Yale in Jacksonville, Florida on March 21, 2019.

Then-LSU assistant coach Greg Heiar, center, yells from the sidelines during the team’s NCAA men’s college basketball tournament game against Yale in Jacksonville, Florida on March 21, 2019. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)

The Aggies, who are the reigning Western Athletic Conference champions, have struggled under the leadership of first-year head coach Greg Heiar, going 9-15 this season, which includes 10 losses in their last 12 games.