Hazing incident under investigation

CLOVIS — Police are looking into an alleged hazing incident that took place at the New Mexico state track meet in May, Clovis schools Superintendent Jody Balch confirmed on Monday.

Balch said he is not aware if any criminal charges have been filed in connection with the case.

Police did not immediately respond to questions.

"Some guys, teammates, came to a room, knocked on the door, and lathered a kid up and lotioned his back," Balch said.

The superintendent said he wasn't clear on details after that, but he felt the incident could be criminal, and so police were notified.

Balch said he and Clovis High School Principal Jay Brady learned of the allegations on Dec. 1 from parents of the victim. Balch said he notified Clovis police of the incident that same day.

"Maybe three kids, maybe more, were involved," Balch said. Only one victim has been reported, Balch said.

Balch said the parents, whom he declined to name, had notified another school official sometime before Dec. 1, but they went to Brady after they believed no action had been taken. Brady informed Balch immediately, Balch said.

Clovis High School Athletic Director Darren Kelley, who was also the track team's coach, announced his retirement on Jan. 2.

Balch declined to say if Kelley's retirement, which was unexpected, was related to the hazing incident.

Balch said no school officials were present when the hazing is alleged to have occurred.

Kelley, whose wife Jennifer Kelley also retired from her teaching job on Jan. 2, did not return phone calls seeking comment on Monday.

Darren Kelley, 51, a 1986 Clovis High graduate, began working for CMS in 1991 and became athletic director on July 1 after four years as assistant AD.

Balch said the hazing incident spurred school officials to talk with the district's coaching staffs, "letting them know, legally, what hazing looks like. We brought all the coaches in just to share a legal description for hazing."

"Now our expectations are for the coaches to relay that information (to student-athletes)," Balch said.