The boys’ lacrosse team at Ipswich (Mass.) High School has forfeited its Division 4 State Semifinal game after several players were suspended for posting a controversial photo smoking cigars, celebrating their latest win.
According to NBC Boston, the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association rules state that student-athletes are not allowed to use or possess tobacco products during their season. On top of the MIAA rules, the legal age to purchase tobacco in the state is 21.
In the photo, several of the lacrosse players can be seen with cigars in their mouths. Those players were later suspended by coaching staff.
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The MIAA handbook says, “"From the earliest fall practice date, to the conclusion of the academic year or final athletic event (whichever is latest), a student shall not, regardless of the quantity, use, consume, possess, buy/sell, or give away any beverage containing alcohol; any tobacco product (including e-cigarettes, vape pens and all similar devices); marijuana (including synthetic); steroids; drug paraphernalia; or any controlled substance. This policy includes products such as “NA or near beer,” inhalants (defined as any substance that produces a mind-altering effect when inhaled), and misuse of over-the-counter medications and substances used for the purposes of altering one’s mental state."
Despite what the photo appears to show, one of the student-athlete’s dads, John Gianakakis, alleges that the cigars in the photo are fake.
Gianakakis attempted to remedy the situation prior to Ipswich forfeiting the game by telling school administrators that he had made fake cigars for the boys and even ordered fake cigars from a friend’s shop.
"I called my friend, he owns a smoke shop, and I said, 'hey, do you have any fake cigars?' And he goes, 'Nah but I can tell you how to make them if you want, I don't know how they're gonna taste,' and I'm like, 'I don't care how they taste, it's for props.'"
Ipswich school administrators did not accept Gianakakis’s explanation and proceeded with the suspensions.
