Texico hazing probe is over

TEXICO — A months-long investigation into allegations of hazing by Texico baseball team members did not reveal wrongdoing on the part of any players or coaches, Superintendent Rob Brown said Tuesday.

Brown said findings from Doug Bowman of the Texico Police Department were received June 13, and sent to both the Ninth Judicial District Attorney’s Office and the New Mexico State Police.

“We shared all of the information we had, as well as the report from Officer (Doug) Bowman,” Brown said. “The final result is there was no evidence of any criminal activities or wrongdoing on behalf of our student athletes (or coaches). We believe very strongly in our Texico community and students.”

Bowman confirmed Tuesday his investigation didn’t reveal anything to substantiate hazing allegations.

Brown said coach Ty Thatcher was initially unaware of the police investigation of the team, which started in late March, but aided in a school investigation of the allegations.

All Texico coaches cooperated fully, Brown said, and worked with school officials to make sure there was no retaliation against potential accusers.

If the allegations got to the Wolverines, it didn’t show on the field, as they went 27-2 and rode an 11-game winning streak to their third-straight Class 3A state title.

“I know we did some training with our staff and students,” Brown said, “and we are working with the district attorney to work on hazing training with all of our middle school and high school student athletes. We’re hoping to do that in August, just to ensure everybody understands the seriousness of the choices they make.”

When asked why additional training was necessary if everybody was cleared of wrongdoing, Brown said every situation is a chance to learn and make improvements.

“It’s important to be proactive,” Brown said. “Kids might not think about the potential consequences of their actions. When I was in school, things happened all the time. It was written off as kids being kids, and we can’t do that anymore.”