New Mexico soccer coach suspended for 1 week over hazing
University of New Mexico athletic director Paul Krebs, left, discussed a hazing incident involving the women's soccer team as head coach Kit Vela sat beside him during a news conference in Albuquerque, N.M., on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan)
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. » University of New Mexico women’s soccer coach Kit Vela has been suspended for a week without pay and 22 players will be suspended for one game over a hazing incident.
Athletic director Paul Krebs told the Albuquerque Journal he expects Vela’s suspension to begin immediately, but university policy dictates she has 10 days to appeal.
Krebs says assistant coaches Jorge Vela and Krista Foo will receive letters of reprimand.
School officials say last Sunday’s hazing involved seven true freshmen and two were taken to the hospital for excessive alcohol consumption.
Twin sisters Danielle and Devin Scelsi quit the team Monday, withdrew from school and returned to their home in Orange County, California.
On Tuesday, Krebs announced the team’s season opener Friday at Texas Tech was canceled.
