New Mexico Daily Lobo
URL: http://www.dailylobo.com/index.php/article/2010/09/video_footage_of_incident_between_locksley_lobo_sports_editor_difficult_to_come_by
Current Date: Thu, 24 May 2012 10:20:31 -0600
Possibly Related:
Video footage of incident between Locksley, Lobo sports editor difficult to come by
On July 31, head football coach Mike Locksley approached Daily Lobo sports editor Ryan Tomari at Uptown Sports Bar. Locksley disagreed with the stance Tomari took in a column where he said the UNM football program was in “shambles.”
Locksley sat down with Tomari and Tomari’s friend and discussed the column and coverage issues.
When interviewed as part of the Daily Lobo’s investigation, Tomari said he was uncomfortable with the discussion and Locksley’s demeanor because the football coach used profanity. He said the encounter has left him reluctant to interact with Locksley.
Media relations representative Chris Deal has since apologized to Tomari on Locksley’s behalf.
“I don’t even ask questions at press conferences, and I stay as far away from him as I can,” Tomari said. “I just do not want to deal with him.”
Tomari took about two weeks to inform Daily Lobo leadership about the encounter. The Daily Lobo did not immediately report about the incident, because at the time we did not know about the existence of surveillance footage that would support Tomari’s account.
In response to the incident, the Athletics Department obtained video footage and volunteered to allow Albuquerque Journal reporter Greg Archuleta review the surveillance Aug. 26 in the presence of Locksley and an athletics official. When the Daily Lobo found out that Athletics had footage, it informally approached the department about viewing the tape but was denied. Instead, Athletics released a statement.
“After viewing the 22-minute video, we (Athletics) voluntarily allowed the Albuquerque Journal access to the video, and after viewing it with the Journal, they came to the identical conclusion of the athletic department that there was nothing to the dialogue, and there was no story or wrongdoing on the part of coach Locksley or the reporter.”
The Daily Lobo contacted the Journal about interviewing Archuleta but was told that the substance of his interview is present in today’s Albuquerque Journal.
Editor-in-chief Pat Lohmann also called bar owner Adam Krafft about obtaining the tape but he declined, which is well within his right as owner.
“Your employee was not confronted, and the tape shows a respectful encounter,” he said in an e-mail response. “I gave a copy to Locksley since he is always misrepresented. Write something good about the program, and fill the seats. All the negativity doesn’t help the program win.”
In an effort to exhaust its options, the Daily Lobo formally requested the tape under the Inspection of Public Records Act, but Anne Murray, the custodian of public record, said the University had no document responsive to the request.
Athletics sports information director Frank Mercogliano said UNM disposed of the video shortly after allowing Archuleta to see it.
“We do not have possession of the video,” he said. “After the video was viewed, we got rid of it because there was nothing on it. There was no reason to keep it.”
Sarah Welsh, executive director of New Mexico Foundation for Open Government, said the University didn’t break any laws by disposing of the surveillance footage but still operated in a manner unbefitting a public university.
“They can’t just destroy records willy-nilly,” she said. “It’s bad policy to just destroy records that you know people are interested in seeing to avoid their obligation.”
Tomari said if Locksley had called him to address his concerns over the column, he would have gladly been receptive to Locksley’s criticism.
“Time and place,” he said. “I think at that point, I’m a student of the University. I’m not on the clock. I wasn’t being paid for that. I understand that I’m a member of the media, but I think had that happened with people that I work with or in a setting with fellow media members, it would have been different, but it was at a bar.”
The Daily Lobo addressed the situation now because it was asked for comment by several Albuquerque media outlets, including the Albuquerque Journal, KOBTV and 610 The Sports Animal. A statement we released should appear in those outlets today. The Daily Lobo does not seek to unnecessarily portray Athletics or the football in a negative light. Moreover, in its idealistic pursuit of journalistic truth and integrity, we felt it necessary to be transparent with our readers.
Pat Lohmann, editor-in-chief
Isaac Avilucea, managing editor



51 comments
Nosredneh sew
Flag this comment
Really? Really? This is a whole lot of nothing, i know of many times were media anywhere has has conversations with coaches on any level…..
Concerned fan
Flag this comment
It doesn’t seem like there’s a ton of hard evidence in this story, but I guess if this coach is in hot water for assaulting an assistant, not to mention struggling as a coach last year, why is he at a bar cussing at a student reporter? He probably would have been better off speaking to him professionally.
By the way, first commenter, I noticed your name backwards is Wes Henderson. Is that you?
Lobo Football Fan
Flag this comment
Yes, really? This is not nothing, it’s Locksley being a complete moron again. When you are coming off a 1-11 season, should you be at a bar harassing sports reporters or should you be trying to better prepare your team for the season?
Good thing Locksley did not become violent with the reporter, then again, he only would have connected on one of every 12 swings.
LeeRoy Lucero
Flag this comment
Hey Avilucea and Lohmann you had the video idiots! Tomari’s little friend taped the whole thing… Obviously there was nothing to back Tomari’s claims up and that is why Gurule’s tape was delete! The Daily Lobo, Ryan Tomari, Issac Avilucea, and now Pat Lohmann… You all have a real problem here.
You had access to a video of this supposed incident through Gurule and through incompetence let it get deleted, or there wasn’t really anything on it and rather than speak the truth you had it deleted. Either way the credibility and integrity of the writers and this publication should be really called into question.
Richard
Flag this comment
Sounds like the Lobo needs a new Sports Reporter. Perhaps one that has a spine. Grow up and get over it. This is not news.
TC
Flag this comment
No, it sounds like coach Thugsley has not benefited from those anger management classes. Maybe a little trip to the slammer would help his disposition.
Disappointed UNM Student
Flag this comment
The Daily Lobo and Journal are exchanging their integrity for newspaper sales. Their coverage of Locksley and the football team consistently reinforces stereotypes about black men being dangerous, angry, and criminal. Last week the Lobo had a photo on the front page of the paper of a black football player just because he reported a crime. Now the sports reporter says he’s too scared to be around Locksley because he used profanity at him in a bar and then bought him a drink. Dude, he was treating you like a grown up! If you weren’t so damned scared of black men you could have seen that as an opportunity to build a relationship with a source. Locksley has every right to be pissed and all the good black athletes in the country have every reason to steer clear of UNM.
Way to represent.
Locksley deranged loser
Flag this comment
The daily lobo is doing exactly what they are here to do “REPORT THE NEWS” if Locksley weren’t such a deranged loser he would not continue to display this unacceptable behavior; sparing UNM further embarrassment.
UNM Admin & Locks lack Intregity
Flag this comment
Locks and the UNM administration wouldn’t know integrity if it was growing out of their ———.
Sholar
Flag this comment
Grownups should speak to one another in a respectable manner, the use of profanity, abuse, assault and disrespect has nothing to do with being black or white. It is an ignoramus that can’t distinguish the difference. Locksley is a big ignoramus that cannot control his temper.
Red Menace Fan
Flag this comment
How do we know Locksley used profanity. Tomari erased the video tape. Sounds like Isaac and Ryan are trying a lynching here. This really smacks of serious racism by both young men. “Oh the big scary black man yelled at me.”
Neither had a problem smashing Locksley through the newspaper, but face to face they cry, video tape it and erase it? Where is the credibility?
Liar Locks
Flag this comment
Locksley is a liar we saw it on ESPN Outside the Lines even with the evidence in front of him he continued to lie. How pathetic just like the lobo football program.
Joe Lobo
Flag this comment
If the Daily Lobo had a video Isaac wouldn’t that be on youtube? Deadspin? No, it’s not there because that kid deleted it….why? Why would you ever delete it?
How can UNM give out a video if they don’t have it? They allowed the Journal to see it, and the Journal writes a story about the editor not getting to see it. Locksley has my deepest sympathies in dealing with these people who are out to get him
“Bungles upon bungles” Lies & Cover Ups
Flag this comment
Old’ Schmid, Krebs, Gonzales, Garbiso and Locksley are all liars “Bungles upon bungles in the administrative jungle” translation….lies upon lies & cover ups upon cover ups in the UNM administration. lol
Mensa
Flag this comment
UNM has lost what little dignity they once possessed. If this guy Locksley would concentrate on finding ways to motive his players and coaches instead of causing a media circus the team wouldn’t be in ‘shambles”.
UNM Alumni
Flag this comment
Why is UNM head football coach viewed in this way? Because he brought this on himself, his past and present bad behavior has been a distraction for the university, lobo fans and certainly the players. No wonder we ended the season 1-11 they continue their downward spiral of losses and are now 0-2 (blowouts 0-72, 17-52) let’s face it Mike Locksley is unqualified to be head coach and the athletic director Paul Krebs had better figure it out before it’s too late.
Red Bias Menace
Flag this comment
Surprise, surprise, all the Red Menace stans come running to Locksley’s defense. You fools all wanna talk about credibility, but the Red Menace is the least credible outlet out there. UNM could have lost 172-0 and Wes and Leeroy would still be singing Locksley’s praises.
None of us have seen the video, but bottom line is a coach who started 1-11 and is in hot water for an assault would probably be smart to avoid cursing out media members at a bar.
Read more
Remove your lips from Locksley’s rear end for one second, Red Menace Morons and see the truth
Ron Zook
Flag this comment
Locks is in his right to peacefully confront a hostile, belligerent news reporter and whether that reporter is also a student doesn’t matter in the least. Too many wimps at NM taking potshots then trying to hide behind the paper or school. Grow up kids.
Another Disappointed UNM Student
Flag this comment
I’m not attending anymore football games. I’m sick and tired of all the absurdity while UNM officials look the other way. UNM failed when Locksley assaulted his assistant coach. And it failed in the matter with Professor Lisa Chavez doing the sex work with students, posting photos of herself acting out sexual violence on a student, on sex services sites so the professor could make some extra money. This is way past what you would call unacceptable.
Thug Locksley
Flag this comment
Thug Locksley is incapable of handling himself like an adult he lashes out verbally or physically assaulting someone. Anger management? I don’t think sooooooooooooooo.
LMFAO
Flag this comment
Is this the same fleshy LeeRoy Lucero from TRM? LMFAO
UNM disposed of the video - Sound familiar
Flag this comment
Athletics sports information director Frank Mercogliano said UNM disposed of the video shortly after allowing Archuleta to see it.
“We do not have possession of the video,” he said. “After the video was viewed, we got rid of it because there was nothing on it. There was no reason to keep it.”
Sound familiar, destroying evidence, if it was nothing on it, why destroy it. Just like UNM/HR admin attempted to destroy the investigative notes pertaining to the assault on coach Gerald by coach Locksley. UNM admin are still up to their old tricks corrupt deceitful and incompetent.
LoboLair
Flag this comment
This is the same Leeroy Lucero from theredmenace.com. Dude has issues. He got into a fight with UNM Security a few yrs ago at a football game vs. CSU. It was a public incident. He got escorted out in handcuffs.
Lobo Fan1
Flag this comment
Coach Locks needs to go, I love UNM all too much to have this man come in here and absolutely trash this football team. Really ask yourself, everyone, What good has been done since he got here? Even before the season started last year he had issues. ISSUE AFTER ISSUE! And LeeRoy..racism? really? You need to grow up or just perhaps shut up. How about you get a life, maybe a girlfriend…seems like reading the other posts about you, all you do is live ,breathe and fight at Lobo football games and make an idiot out of yourself. Perhaps you should join Locks and leave campus.
Dennis
Flag this comment
New Mexico needs to hire coaches, white or black, who are more professional than this. Locksley shouldn’t have let his temper get the best of him. I could never respect a man who bullies or mistreats others.
Comments are closed for this item.