New Mexico State University has announced the departure of athletic director Mario Moccia following an investigation into the school’s handling of a sexual-abuse scandal that led to a temporary shut down of the Aggies men’s basketball program. In response to the findings, university president Valerio Ferme has appointed Amber Burdge, the deputy athletic director for strategic initiatives and leadership, as the acting athletic director.
“After carefully reviewing the recent report issued by the New Mexico Department of Justice, I felt we needed a fresh start in our athletics program,” Ferme stated. “I have utter confidence in Dr. Burdge’s ability to lead our Athletic Department, and look forward to working with her in the coming months.”
As a key figure in NMSU’s strategic response to hazing prevention, Burdge has served as the school’s senior female administrator and deputy Title IX coordinator. The move comes in the wake of two former basketball players reaching plea deals in assault cases, with a third set for trial next month. These allegations resulted in the suspension of the 2022-23 basketball season and a subsequent $8 million settlement in a lawsuit brought by former players Deuce Benjamin and Shak Odunewu.
Despite the ongoing fallout from the scandal, Moccia was rewarded with a five-year contract extension and a substantial pay raise to $351,000 annually, effective until 2028. This controversial decision was made by former chancellor Dan Arvizu, who coincidentally resigned on the same day. A state Department of Justice review highlighted systemic failures in addressing the toxic culture within the program, which it described as pervasive.
The report criticized Moccia for his inadequate response upon learning about the assaults, noting that he failed to intervene effectively despite being aware of the developing toxic culture. It was pointed out that Moccia met with and viewed relevant videos involving the accused players after the Office of Institutional Equity had been notified of the reported incidents.
Additionally, the report highlighted a lack of transparency regarding the funding source for Moccia’s increased compensation, which was sourced from booster funds rather than state funds. The report emphasized the importance of transparent communication with donors regarding the utilization of their contributions.
The university’s decision to part ways with Moccia underscores a commitment to addressing the issues raised by the investigation and signals a new direction for the athletics program under Burdge’s leadership. As the institution strives to rebuild trust and implement necessary reforms, the fallout from the scandal serves as a stark reminder of the importance of accountability and transparency in collegiate athletics.
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