Swampscott High School Football Cancels Games Amid Investigation
SWAMPSCOTT (CBS) – Swampscott High School is investigating its football team.
The freshman game scheduled for Thursday and Saturday's varsity game have been canceled, Pamela R. H. Angelakis, the Superintendent of Swampscott Public Schools, told WBZ-TV.
"On Monday morning, I became aware of an incident allegedly involving members of the Swampscott High School football team at Blocksidge Field Friday night. After speaking with the Swampscott Police Department, it became clear that the incident required further investigation by Swampscott Public Schools," Angelakis said in a statement.
There has been no comment yet from Swampscott Police.
The town's police log indicates there was an incident at Phillips Park Friday around 9 p.m. It stated there was a "report of youths having bonfire near practice football field," but no other information was immediately available.
A freshman, whose twin brother plays on the team, said "I heard that they were forced to take off their clothes and run around the field naked."
Some students told WBZ-TV the incident that may have occurred was a team tradition.
"From what I have been able to determine, there were no adults present at the time of the incident," Angelakis said. "Understanding that all the facts have yet to be presented, I do not feel it is appropriate for the football team to take the field representing Swampscott High School at this time."
#Swampscott school investigation leads to cancellation of weekend football games. Some students call it hazing. #wbz pic.twitter.com/EchUxS30Ys
— Christina Hager (@HagerWBZ) September 29, 2015
"We are aware of a situation that Swampscott HS is dealing with but don't have a comment other than to say that these type of incidents are navigated by the individual school(s) at the local level," MIAA spokesman Nathan Bonneau said in a statement.
WBZ-TV's Susie Steimle asked Governor Charlie Baker, a Swampscott resident, at the State House Tuesday what he knew about a potential hazing investigation.
"I haven't heard any report on that," Baker said. "What I can tell you is that I am no fan of hazing of any kind and I would hope that any allegation concerning an issue like that would be properly investigated and dealt with in the most transparent way possible."
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Bernice Corpuz reports: