LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The New Mexico State athletic department honored former Aggie basketball player Shawn Harrington last Saturday at halftime of the UMKC game. Harrington played for NM State during the 1995-96 a season before a season-ending knee injury.
 
Harrington's harrowing story has been told by the New York Times and will be featured on HBO Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, airing Tuesday, Jan. 24, at 9 p.m. (MT). Harrington was shot and became paralyzed due to a case of mistaken identity one morning while taking his daughter to school.
 

As told by Joe Nocera of the NY Times, "Early one morning in late January in 2014, with Harrington's car in a repair shop, he and his daughter set out together in a rented white sedan. At the corner of Augusta Boulevard and Hamlin Avenue, in the West Side neighborhood of Humboldt Park, a shooting had just taken place involving a white sedan. When Harrington and Naja drove into that same intersection, the men who had been shooting at the other white sedan opened fire, thinking it was the same car."
 
"Harrington lay on top of his daughter, trying to protect her…By the time the shooting stopped, she was unharmed, but he had been hit twice; one bullet went through his back and damaged two vertebrae, causing him to lose the use of his legs. He has used a wheelchair ever since."
 
NM State Director of Athletics Mario Moccia presented Harrington with a personalized jersey during halftime and was presented a check from Citizens Bank for $500 dollars. By the end of Saturday's game, the Aggie family in attendance donated just under $10,000 to the Shawn Harrington Recovery Fund to help offset his medical bills.
 

Standing ovation for former Aggie Shawn Harrington at tonight's halftime recognition. #AggieUp pic.twitter.com/AIyjMeA07Y

— Aggie Army (@AggieArmy) January 22, 2017

"With Shawn being a former Aggie player and knowing his story, it puts the importance of sport in its proper perspective," Aggie AD Moccia said. "It was wonderful to see the Aggie crowd give him a much deserved standing ovation. That night I was stopped by two Aggie fans who indicated that they would match the $500 check from Citizens Bank, which shows the unbelievable generosity of Aggie fans.  I'd also like to thank Tim Hargrove and George Ruth from Citizens Bank for their involvement in this endeavor and encourage Aggie fans, if they haven't yet and able to make a gift to this worthy cause to do so."
 
Those interested in donating to help with the cost of medical bills can make a contribution to the "Shawn Harrington Recovery Fund" by stopping at any Citizens Bank location, the Pan American Center Box Office or Athletic Department Offices in the Stan Fulton Athletic Center. Donations can also be mailed and address to…
 
Shawn Harrington Recovery Fund
C/O NM State Athletics
1815 Wells Street
Las Cruces, NM 88003