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The Lisbon High School football team in Lisbon Falls, Androscoggin County, Maine, is currently at the center of a hazing scandal. This has led to the suspension of all football-related activities and may result in the team being banned from varsity competition for two years.
Allegations of hazing involving student-athletes have brought forth school queries and police probes. As a result, the team had to give up its last four games. Superintendent Richard Green reportedly confirmed on Monday that Lisbon High School’s last remaining game of the season, against Oak Hill, would be forfeited.
Earlier, the team had also forfeited games against other Maine schools: Mountain Valley High School (Oct. 4), Freeport High School (Oct. 11), and Medomak Valley High School (Oct. 19). Football activities have allegedly been halted since Oct. 4.
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According to Appendix Z of the Maine Principals' Association (MPA) Handbook, any school that fails to complete a sports schedule by itself will be subject to a ban from varsity competition for the next two years.
Lisbon High School could potentially appeal this penalty by requesting a waiver from the MPA Interscholastic Management Committee, citing extenuating circumstances.
The hazing investigation that led to the suspension is reportedly one of two currently being conducted in Lisbon. In an Oct. 7 letter to the school community, Green announced the hiring of Drummond Woodsum, an independent agency, to carry out the investigation.
This agency had reportedly been involved in a 2021 hazing probe at Brunswick High School, which similarly led to the cancellation of its football season.
Seven athletes of Lisbon High School removed amid hazing probe as the case moves to the district attorney
The hazing investigation conducted by the Lisbon School Department in collaboration with Drummond Woodsum allegedly led to the removal of seven student-athletes from the school's football roster.
On Wednesday, Oct. 16, Lisbon Police Chief Ryan McGee confirmed to Maine’s Total Coverage that his department submitted its hazing case to the Androscoggin County District Attorney’s Office for further review.
The following day, District Attorney Neil McLean Jr. acknowledged receipt of the report but emphasized that the case was still under careful examination.
“Unfortunately, at this time, we are not able to provide any further details. It is difficult to say when a decision will be made as we must ensure we have made every effort to review this matter to a just conclusion,” McLean said (per WMTW).
Superintendent Green claimed that the school department had not been provided with any information regarding the police's separate inquiry into the hazing incident.
