Maybe the celebratory cigar moment was a bit premature.
The boys’ lacrosse team from Ipswich High School in Massachusetts had to withdraw from a state semifinal game after some players were seen posing with cigars following graduation, as reported by CBS Boston.
A photo circulated showing eight boys grinning with cigars in hand after their graduation ceremony.
Interestingly, parents of some affected players claimed the cigars weren’t real. In fact, one parent provided evidence suggesting the cigars didn’t contain any tobacco.
Drew Weil, whose son is among the disciplined players, expressed frustration, stating, “Crime and punishment are not alike. We have a judge and jury, and now it’s evil.”
Ipswich disqualified several players from a scheduled semifinal match against Cohasset due to the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association’s strict tobacco regulations, according to CBS.
By Wednesday morning, the school released a statement on its website, explaining that they canceled the game because there weren’t enough eligible players.
“Ipswich High School was very excited to have its boys lacrosse team advance to the Division 4 state semifinals, scheduled for Tuesday at 6 p.m.,” the statement said.
“Due to a lack of available players, it is in the team’s best interest to forfeit the game. We congratulate all players and coaches on a great season and reaching the Final Four.”
One student, John Gianakakis, mentioned that he and his teammates sought creative alternatives before taking the photo to avoid breaking any rules.
He reportedly crafted the faux cigars using painter’s tape. According to him, a clerk at the cigar store suggested trying materials like banana leaves or chamomile with a wrapper. They did, but it failed spectacularly—burning quickly and poorly in windy conditions.
“If you light something like a newspaper, it makes this whistling sound,” he remarked. “If they had smoked what they were holding, they’d have been very unwell.”
After the decision was made, Gianakakis informed principal Jonathan Mitchell about the fake cigars, even presenting one as proof.
He claimed Mitchell called the cigar retailer to verify Gianakakis’s story and then conveyed the good news.
“Mr. Mitchell looked me in the eye and said, ‘John, these kids have permission to play,’” Gianakakis recounted.
He mentioned that the players practiced that day, but there’s some uncertainty about whether that was Sunday or Monday. However, the superintendent’s office reportedly wants to look further into the situation.
CBS noted that the school informed the players about their suspensions by 10 a.m. ET on Tuesday.
Board member Greg Stevens shared that some board members attempted to persuade the administration to allow the players to participate, suggesting there could be some flexibility in the rules.
Although the players boarded the bus, parents reported that the students had to exit their vehicles because the MIAA decided to enforce the forfeit.
“I can’t believe this happened to these poor children,” a parent expressed. “There’s a double standard. If you play an instrument, there are no repercussions.”
The MIAA has stringent tobacco regulations, stating: “Students may not use, consume, possess, buy, sell, or transfer any tobacco products (including e-cigarettes, vape pens, and similar devices), marijuana (including synthetic), regardless of quantity.”
If a violation is confirmed, the minimum penalty is disqualification from the next consecutive intramural contest, which equates to about 25% of all events in that sport.
