Fraternity suspended after student died in amateur boxing match

The Kappa Sigma fraternity chapter at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) was suspended by its national organization and the school after a student died in an amateur boxing match that it organized. 

The suspensions follow the death of Nathan Valencia following the fraternity’s annual “fight night” in November. Valencia’s death was ruled a homicide on Tuesday.

“Kappa Sigma Fraternity expects all of our chapters to conform with all applicable state and local laws,” Kappa Sigma executive Mitchell Wilson said Thursday when announcing the suspension.

UNLV President Keith Whitfield said Wednesday that Kappa Sigma will be suspended as the university investigates the incident. 

“Under the terms of the suspension, the UNLV Kappa Sigma chapter is required to cease all operations and activities, and its status as a registered student organization is revoked pending the outcome of an investigation by the university and its Office of Student Conduct,” Whitfield said in a statement.

The Nevada Athletic Commission is also investigating Valencia’s death.

Nick Lasso and Ryan Zimmer, two attorneys representing the Valencia family, have alleged that the “fight night,” which happened off campus, did not have a certified referee, the referee that was in charge was drinking and there were no medical professionals at the event. 

“It is unacceptable that the individual in charge of enforcing the rules of combat with the authority to stop a fight, would be impaired. From this, it is clear that UNLV, Kappa Sigma Fraternity, and the Sahara Event Center all looked the other way and failed to ensure proper safety precautions were in place,” the attorneys said.

Valencia collapsed five minutes after the fight was over and was rushed to the hospital, where he died days later from internal bleeding. 

Updated: 6:17 p.m.