LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KRQE) – Mario Moccia has been relieved of his duties as the Athletic Director at New Mexico State University, with University President Valerio Ferme said in a statement: “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.”
This marks the first big decision made by Ferme as he assumed his duties as university president on Jan. 1, 2025, per his contract.
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Amber Burdge, NMSU’s deputy athletic director for strategic initiatives and leadership, has been promoted to the role of acting athletics director. “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,” said Ferme. Burdge had served as NMSU’s deputy athletic director for strategic initiatives and leadership, as well as the senior woman administrator and deputy Title IX coordinator for the athletics department.
A former NMSU baseball player, Moccia has served as NMSU’s athletic director since 2015. During his tenure, Moccia oversaw NMSU’s transition into Conference USA in 2023, and also guided athletics to multiple top-five finishes in the Learfield Director’s Cup standings and more than 50 conference regular-season or tournament championships over NMSU’s programs.
Meanwhile, controversy in athletics has come at a premium at NMSU over the past couple of years under Moccia’s watch. In 2023, NMSU renewed the AD’s contract for five years despite the scandals that rocked the men’s basketball program.
The New Mexico Department of Justice recently released a report on the scandals involving hazing, sexual assault, and other violence among players on the basketball team. In the report, the NMDOJ called on the university to be more meticulous about hiring coaches, contractually requiring coaches to implement anti-hazing policies, and create a more robust system for reporting and addressing hazing allegations.
Ferme and Burdge will hold a brief news conference at 9 a.m. Friday, Jan. 3 at NMSU’s Fulton Center, third floor, at the Danny Villanueva Victory Club.