Chris Billings
Sports Reporter
Two members of the New Mexico State University rodeo team were suspended following a dispute involving reports of a stabbing. Police were called in, and both members were removed from the event.
The altercation took place at the Cochise College-National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) Rodeo in Douglas, Ariz.
"Officers responded at 9:15 p.m. on Sept. 21 to two males arguing over a possible stabbing that occurred between the two before officers arrived," said Carol Capas of the Cochise County Sheriff Department.
NMSU Rodeo Coach Jim Dewey Brown confirmed the individuals involved in the altercation were NMSU athletes.
According to eyewitness accounts in the initial police report, one athlete stabbed the other in the leg. Officers were unable to confirm the stabbing, calling local area hospitals to see if they had received any victims.
Neither of the two athletes pressed charges, resulting in no arrests.
The sheriff's department was unable to give the names of the two athletes until the police report is finalized. The report must be finalized within 14 days of the incident, making Friday, Oct. 5 the deadline.
Brown would not release the names of the athletes due to what he called an "internal investigation."
Brown said both athletes will be "punished accordingly," and are facing academic suspension, scholarship reduction or termination.
Sarah Neely, Director of Public Relations for the NIRA, said both athletes' membership status with the NIRA have been placed on hold until the conclusion of the NMSU investigation.
Despite the altercation between two of its athletes, the NMSU rodeo team had a very successful outing.
"Little picture, two of our athletes got in a fight. Big picture, our team did really well," Brown said. The men's team took first overall in the event and the women's team took second overall.
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