One of the students involved spoke to Fox News Digital on Wednesday, claiming the cigars were fake.The student said the cigars were made of tea leaves because they were aware of the rule and didn’t want to jeopardize the team going into their "Final Four" game.But in a statement obtained by Fox News Digital on Friday, Ipswich High School superintendent Brian Blake and Principal Jonathan Mitchell refuted those claims, adding that they wanted to ensure that an "accurate account" of what transpired was being presented to the public.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMMembers of the Ipswich High School boys lacrosse team smoke cigars after their graduation in Ipswich, Massachusetts, on June 7, 2026.
(Courtesy of a student involved)On Monday morning, June 8, a day after the high school’s graduation, the school became aware of two photographs on the Internet of six lacrosse players who appeared to be smoking cigars.The statement claimed only one of two photos had been presented to the media."The second photograph – which apparently was not provided to the media - showed the cigars smoked down significantly; a cloud of smoke surrounding one of the students; and a torch-type lighter visible in the hand of another of the students," the statement read."Shortly after reviewing the photographs, the District learned that the photographs were posted on the Facebook page of one of the players’ parents.
Based on the mandatory MIAA Chemical Health policy, which is also incorporated in the Ipswich Student-Athlete Handbook, school administrators commenced an investigation, including interviewing the involved students and/or their parents and giving them the opportunity to explain their version of events."READ THE SCHOOL'S FULL STATEMENT HERE:The student involved told Fox News Digital in an earlier conversation that his father, John Gianakakis, called the cigar shop in Ipswich and asked for fake cigars so the kids could follow the tradition of smoking cigars aft...