Two former New Mexico State basketball players, along with a student manager, have filed a lawsuit alleging their teammates frequently brought guns into the locker room where they sexually assaulted players to ensure everyone on the team remained "humble."
Kyle Feit, along with a teammate and a student manager who did not want their names released, filed the lawsuit Monday. The lawsuit lists as defendants New Mexico State, its athletic director, Mario Moccia, as well as former coaches and players. All but Moccia were fired or left last season.
According to ESPN, Feit revealed his name, the lawsuit says, because "his interest in speaking out and holding all of the defendants accountable outweighs his desire to protect his personal privacy interests."
Some of the allegations made in the lawsuit — such as sexual assaults in the locker room — are similar to those made by former players Shak Odunewu and Deuce Benjamin, which was settled for an amount totaling $8 million.
Feit's lawsuit claims players were assaulted in a similar manner but also alleges that guns were brought into the locker room and Feit says they were pointed at him from inside car windows three times while he walking across campus.
Guns are not allowed on New Mexico State's campus, nor on trips involving school activities. Enforcement of that rule came under scrutiny after former player Mike Peake shot and killed a University of New Mexico stuent while the team was on a road trip in Albuquerque. Peake was not charged with a crime because video showed that he was acting in self defense.
After the Peake shooting, the lawsuit says, "the presence of guns [within the team] became even more real and menacing. [Feit] knew his teammates were in fear of retribution for the shooting and the atmosphere was very tense."
Feit was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder while at New Mexico State. He moved away from campus and earlier this year signed with a professional team in Israel. He has since returned home due to the war.
"His PTSD was triggered by the war in Israel, resulting in him living in constant fear and worsening his condition," the lawsuit says.
All three plaintiffs in the lawsuit allege the players did similar things to them.
"It became difficult for Kyle Feit to focus on basketball and he felt like he was losing his love for the sport," the lawsuit said. "Going to the gym had always been a safe and positive place, and it was no longer. His game suffered, as did his well-being."
