Early last week, head football coach Mike Locksley announced a rule barring his players from Downtown Albuquerque.
His decision came a day after two players, Quintell Solomon and Byron Bell, were arrested on multiple charges in the area.
"I don't want to get into specifics of where, what, and what block it cuts off at," Locksley said. "My players understand that they are not allowed in the Downtown bars after hours, where drinking and all those things that take place Downtown - it's off limits.
Locksley, who informed his team of the rule on June 15, specified that the restriction only applies to bars that are open after hours.
One player said that the rule was "no big deal" but couldn't comment further.
Though the two players charged in the incident last week were underage, Locksley said that the restriction goes for all his players, including those who are 21 and over.
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"Well, we are a team," he said. "If a quarterback throws an interception because a linemen gave up a pressure, do you blame the quarterback or do you blame the lineman? Football is the ultimate team sport."
He also said that his decision is not a punishment for his players; it's only aimed at keeping them out of trouble.
"Obviously, it isn't just because of these two," he said. "It is to keep my players out of situations and positions that could create what happened, and it is just like being a parent. I always go back to that. I am in charge of 109 guys, and I am their parent, and if they make a mistake, there is obviously punishment that comes along with making mistakes. Unfortunately, you don't just punish one, you punish them all, so that the younger ones learn what not to do."
As a parent, Locksley said he runs his team with an iron fist.
"I'm not really worried about their feedback or their understanding of why I did it," he said. "They understand that we have rules and restrictions, and this isn't a democracy. As far as team rules go, contrary to what some people think, we run a disciplined program."
Taking a line out of "The Godfather," Locksley said he would take care of things inside the family.
"We have a set of structured rules and regulations that we abide by," Locksley said. "If they are broken, they are dealt with."
Locksley added that the Lobos' football players need to be held to a higher standard than the rest of the student body.
"They understand, or are continuing to learn, the responsibilities of being a division-I football player," he said.
