Alcohol Use Disqualifies Two Big Blue Hockey Players

Big Blue will go to the Garden ice without two hockey players on Sunday after they admitted to drinking alcohol, a violation of Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association rules.

Swampscott earned the right to play in the 3:30 p.m. state championship game against Westfield by virtue of their dramatic run through the tournament including wins against Marblehead, Bedford and Medway.

Two of the team's players who were at a Swampscott High School dance on Friday night admitted to drinking alcohol, Superintendent Lynne Celli said this morning.

The students' parents were called to the school and picked up their children, the superintendent said.

The superintendent said the incident is disheartening.

"I'm distraught," she said." I'm disappointed. We want our kids to be safe." 

School Assistant Principal Frank Kowalski was at the event and school Athletic Director Jon Flanagan was called to the high school because the incident involved student/athletes, the superintendent said.

MIAA rules stipulate that any student/athlete who is caught drinking or admits to drinking can not play in ensuing games. (*Check the MIAA rule below for an explanation about first offenses.)

Because of the timing of the incident the players will lose 25 percent of any spring season sport, according to MIAA rules, the superintendent said.

In addition, a player who violates these rules can not captain a team in the spring season.

The school's alcohol and drug policy provides the education component tied to alcohol and drug violations, including required talks with counselors.

Also, high school handbook rules apply to the infractions by these students, the superintendent said.

The handbook calls for up to 10 days suspension, though the length has yet to be determined for the students, the superintendent said.

*MIAA Handbook Rule 62.1

First violation: When the Principal confirms, following an opportunity for the student to be heard, that a violation occurred, the student shall lose eligibility for the next consecutive interscholastic contests (regular season and tournament) totaling 25% of all interscholastic contests in that sport. No exception is permitted for a student who becomes a participant in a treatment program. It is recommended that the student be allowed to remain at practice for the purpose of rehabilitation. During the suspension the disqualified student may not be in uniform and his/her attendance at the competition site is determined by the high school principal. All decimal part of an event will be truncated i.e. All fractional part of an event will be dropped when calculating the 25% of the season.