NMAA investigating ‘brawl’ between fans at basketball game
The New Mexico Activities Association, as early as Thursday, could have an official announcement regarding possible punishment to fans from two schools who fought one another at a girls varsity basketball game on Tuesday night.
“We are in a full investigation,” NMAA executive director Sally Marquez said Wednesday, adding that the organization had no information to release as yet.
The investigation surrounds an incident that occurred Tuesday night at Evangel Christian Academy in Albuquerque’s Northeast Heights, as the Eagles girls varsity met visiting Cottonwood Classical Prep.
Evangel Christian principal Tim Heyer said a fight “started with two female fans, one from Evangel, one from Cottonwood. The two of them were just going at it, young females in their 20s.”
Eventually, about a dozen fans were involved. A “brawl” was the way Cottonwood coach Sam Gavaldon described it on a Facebook posting Tuesday
night.
The NMAA has asked for video of the incident, but as of late Wednesday afternoon, none had been submitted to the NMAA, Marquez said.
“Here are adults setting a horrible example and making themselves look like absolute fools,” Heyer said.
No one was arrested or seriously injured in the fight, according to Heyer, which he described as starting with two individuals and the hostilities expanding to include their families. No players or coaches were involved.
Albuquerque Police Department spokesman Gilbert Gallegos said no police report has been filed. “Officers responded and everything was over,” he said. “Nobody asked to press charges.”
Both schools sat down with the NMAA on Wednesday.
“We’re waiting to hear from them,” Cottonwood Classical Prep athletic director Chris Rigali said.
Asked directly if she expected the NMAA to hand out any sanctions to Cottonwood, Rigali said: “I honestly don’t know. I think the only thing I would say is, we do not condone any behavior of that nature. Our school or anyone’s school. We know it’s a big situation.”
The NMAA has in the past banned individual fans for one year for unruly behavior at an event.
The Journal attempted again to reach Evangel Christian coach/AD Earl Santillanes, but he did not return messages on Wednesday.
“Everything happened so quickly,” Heyer said, who added, “our fan was totally out of line, but so was their fan.”
According to the Facebook posting by Gavaldon on Tuesday night, it appears the fight was due at least in part to Evangel fans taking umbrage with CCP fans sitting on their half of the bleachers.
This is the entirety of Gavaldon’s post:
“Big black eye (literally) for high school girls basketball as the game … was canceled due to a brawl.
“Coaches it’s not our responsibility I police our fans but it is our responsibility to make sure your fans are sitting in the designated areas. I failed in that today. But that doesn’t give free reign for home fans to start a fight!!
“Fans should cheer on their players and teams it should never come to blows and kids getting hurt while watching their big sister play. Shame on you !!!! ”
Tuesday’s game was in the second quarter at the time of the fight, when it canceled by officials.
“We’re 100 percent with the NMAA and their Compete with Class (initiative),” Heyer said. “There’s no place for this. It’s a bad look for New Mexico sports, and unfortunately, it happened in our gym.”