UMVA has learned that a shocking controversy has rocked the Massachusetts high school lacrosse scene, abruptly ending the championship hopes of the undefeated Ipswich High School team.
The team's state semifinal matchup was forfeited after school officials ruled nine players ineligible, allegedly for violating the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association's tobacco policy. But the players insist they did nothing wrong, claiming the cigars they used during a graduation celebration contained no tobacco.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the controversy began when senior Christian Gianakakis and his teammates participated in a graduation tradition, smoking homemade cigars that they claimed were tobacco-free. The cigars were rolled by Gianakakis' father after a batch of fake cigars ordered online failed to arrive on time.
The situation took a dramatic turn when a photo of the students was brought to the attention of school officials, who mistakenly believed the cigars were real. Gianakakis and his teammates later recovered one of the cigars and presented it to school administrators as evidence that it did not contain tobacco.
Gianakakis described the moment when he and his teammates were told they would not be allowed to play in the semifinal, saying it "felt like a punch in the face. It was like we were being called liars." The team's forfeit was announced just four hours before game time, leaving them no chance to field enough eligible players.
The school released a statement saying that the team and coaching staff decided to forfeit due to a shortage of available players. The statement congratulated the players and coaches on a great season and for advancing to the Final Four.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association's Executive Director, Bob Baldwin, stated that the organization was aware of the situation but did not participate in determining whether the students could play. According to MIAA rules, investigations into allegations of tobacco use are typically handled at the local level.
The MIAA handbook states that when a principal determines a student-athlete has violated rules governing alcohol, tobacco or controlled substances, the student loses eligibility for the next consecutive contests totaling 25% of that sport's season. However, the circumstances surrounding the eligibility decision remain unclear.
