Ipswich High School Forfeits Lacrosse Semifinals over Cigar Photo; Parents Claim They’re Fake
Nine players were suspended after a graduation photo led Ipswich to forfeit its semifinal, leaving the team without enough eligible athletes.
- On Tuesday, June 9, 2026, Ipswich High School forfeited its Division 4 state semifinal after nine players were suspended for allegedly violating the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association tobacco policy.
- The controversy began after a photo posted Sunday showed students holding cigars following graduation; officials deemed them real, though students maintain they were handmade from tea leaves.
- Senior Christian Gianakakis and parents presented the cigars to Principal Jonathan Mitchell as evidence; Mitchell and Superintendent Brian Blake upheld the suspensions four hours before the game.
- Unable to field enough eligible players, the coaching staff forfeited the match against Cohasset High School, ending the team's championship aspirations after an undefeated season.
- MIAA Executive Director Bob Baldwin stated the organization did not participate in the decision, confirming that investigations regarding tobacco use are handled at the local level by administrators like Blake.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Ipswich police body camera video shows heated exchange between parents, school principal over boys’ lacrosse decision - The Boston Globe
In the video, two parents pressed Ipswich High Principal Jonathan Mitchell over a decision to rule several boys' lacrosse players ineligible for a playoff game over a graduation incident involving cigars.
Ipswich lacrosse players say they were forced to forfeit due to fake cigars
IPSWICH — The Ipswich High School boys lacrosse team’s season came to an abrupt end Tuesday after the team was forced to forfeit their playoff semifinal game against Cohasset High School after photos were posted online of multiple players smoking…
Undefeated lacrosse team’s championship dreams end in controversy after players punished over fake cigars
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! An undefeated Massachusetts high school lacrosse team’s championship hopes came to an abrupt end this week after school officials ruled nine players ineligible, forcing Ipswich High School to forfeit its state semifinal matchup. The decision has sparked controversy because the players insist they never violated the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association’s tobacco policy, claiming the c…
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