Alamogordo Public Schools issued a press release to address the incident that occurred during the August 29th, Friday night football game at Tiger Stadium.

Due to disruptive student behavior and an unconfirmed threat, district leaders, working in partnership with law enforcement, security, and administrators, made the proactive decision to clear the stadium of the general public. Only staff, athletes, and police remained, ensuring the game could continue safely. “Our first responsibility is always the safety of students, families, and staff,” said Superintendent Michael Crabtree. “When faced with a situation that presented risk and disruption, we acted immediately and decisively.

The decision to clear the stadium was not easy, but it was the right one. This proactive step prevented further escalation, protected our community and allowed the athletes to continue competing without suffering for the poor choices of a few students.” APS emphasized that the response was a coordinated and professional effort between the Alamogordo Police Department, Otero County Sheriff’s Office, New Mexico State Police, district security personnel, school leadership teams, and Roswell ISD.

“We are grateful to our officers, our security team, and our district leadership and our partners from Roswell ISD who worked together to restore calm quickly and respectfully,” Crabtree added. “We also thank the families and students who cooperated with the process; their patience and understanding allowed us to focus on safety and keep the game moving for our athletes.”

The district stressed that while the majority of students were respectful, the disruptive behavior of a few students will be addressed under the district’s code of conduct. Moving forward, APS will:

• Continue to work closely with local law enforcement for coordinated event safety.

• Increase communication of expectations with students and families attending extracurricular events.

• Review and update student event expectations.

• Continue providing visible security and administrative presence at high-attendance athletic events.

“Tiger Stadium should always be a place where our community can come together with pride,” Crabtree said. “We stand by our decision, and we will continue to take every step necessary to provide a safe, supportive environment for our athletes, students, and families.”