IPSWICH, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Two fathers of players on the Ipswich Lacrosse team were looking for more answers from the school principal after the team was forced to forfeit the rest of their season.
The Ipswich High School Lacrosse team was left unable to compete in their upcoming Division Four State semi-final after a picture posted online showed several players allegedly smoking cigars at Pavilion Beach following their graduation ceremony.
The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association strictly prohibits the student athlete from use of tobacco and other substances throughout the season.
However, multiple students and parents claim the cigars were homemade by a fellow parent and stuffed with tea leaves instead of tobacco.
Ipswich Police bodycam captured a tense exchange between two fathers and Principal Jonathan Mitchell on Wednesday.
“I believe you might be sorry, but I think you could’ve done better,” said one father. “Your conscience is good with doing this?”
“I’m not saying I’m good with it. I’m very disappointed I have to do this,” said Principal Mitchell. “But I’m doing my job, I have to enforce the rules.”
The full bodycam video can be viewed on our WBZ NewsRadio Instagram account here.
The MIAA said the disciplinary actions were handled by the Ipswich School District.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Drew Moholland (@DrewWBZ) reports.