The Mt. Ararat High School boys ice hockey program has been reinstated more than six months after it was suspended in the wake of hazing incidents that prompted an investigation.A Maine Principals’ Association (MPA) committee unanimously voted to reinstate the program on Thursday, according to Maine School Administrative District No. 75 (MSAD 75).MSAD 75 officials first announced in January that they were investigating a potential incident of bullying or harassment involving the Mt. Ararat High School boys ice hockey team. Just over a month later, MSAD 75 officials canceled the rest of the season and suspended the program due to the hazing allegations. Mt. Ararat’s head coach, AJ Kavanaugh, stepped down amid what he called “internal turmoil.”A summary report of the hazing investigation, which was conducted by Lewiston-based law firm Brann & Isaacson, was released in late April. The investigation found student-athletes on the Mt. Ararat boys ice hockey team participated in hazing, bullying and sexually inappropriate conduct, including the use of homophobic language and intentional urination on teammates. According to the summary report, the investigation initially focused on two alleged incidents, but a broader pattern of potential student misconduct was revealed through student-athlete interviews.MSAD 75 has since hired a new athletic director for Mt. Ararat High School, Heidi Wright, and reimplemented new policies for locker room supervision. Officials said the school district has also held special training for all athletic coaches focused on healthy team cultures, and has also established a relationship with StopHazing and created an Ad Hoc Athletic Advisory Committee.”Last year’s incident served as an opportunity to review policies, create changes, and re-focus our priorities around our philosophy of athletics,” MSAD 75 Superintendent Heidi O’Leary said in a statement. “I am incredibly proud of the work that we have done over the last nine months. Although there is more to be done to ensure player safety, build back trust, and refine our protocols – this ruling is proof that we are moving in the right direction.”MSAD 75 officials said the district has remained in contact with families who previously participated in the boys ice hockey program and anticipates it has as many as 20 students who remain interested in playing again.Officials noted, however, that Mt. Ararat High School has been unable to hire new hockey coaches for the upcoming season at this time. The MPA has approved interested players from Mt. Ararat to join a new co-op team hosted by Lewiston High School. MSAD 75 officials said they have been reviewing options to ensure interested student-athletes can participate in the upcoming hockey season, and that they are hopeful they can improve participation and reinstate Mt. Ararat’s own boys hockey program in the near future.

TOPSHAM, Maine —

The Mt. Ararat High School boys ice hockey program has been reinstated more than six months after it was suspended in the wake of hazing incidents that prompted an investigation.

A Maine Principals’ Association (MPA) committee unanimously voted to reinstate the program on Thursday, according to Maine School Administrative District No. 75 (MSAD 75).

MSAD 75 officials first announced in January that they were investigating a potential incident of bullying or harassment involving the Mt. Ararat High School boys ice hockey team. Just over a month later, MSAD 75 officials canceled the rest of the season and suspended the program due to the hazing allegations. Mt. Ararat’s head coach, AJ Kavanaugh, stepped down amid what he called “internal turmoil.”

A summary report of the hazing investigation, which was conducted by Lewiston-based law firm Brann & Isaacson, was released in late April. The investigation found student-athletes on the Mt. Ararat boys ice hockey team participated in hazing, bullying and sexually inappropriate conduct, including the use of homophobic language and intentional urination on teammates. According to the summary report, the investigation initially focused on two alleged incidents, but a broader pattern of potential student misconduct was revealed through student-athlete interviews.

MSAD 75 has since hired a new athletic director for Mt. Ararat High School, Heidi Wright, and reimplemented new policies for locker room supervision. Officials said the school district has also held special training for all athletic coaches focused on healthy team cultures, and has also established a relationship with StopHazing and created an Ad Hoc Athletic Advisory Committee.

“Last year’s incident served as an opportunity to review policies, create changes, and re-focus our priorities around our philosophy of athletics,” MSAD 75 Superintendent Heidi O’Leary said in a statement. “I am incredibly proud of the work that we have done over the last nine months. Although there is more to be done to ensure player safety, build back trust, and refine our protocols – this ruling is proof that we are moving in the right direction.”

MSAD 75 officials said the district has remained in contact with families who previously participated in the boys ice hockey program and anticipates it has as many as 20 students who remain interested in playing again.

Officials noted, however, that Mt. Ararat High School has been unable to hire new hockey coaches for the upcoming season at this time. The MPA has approved interested players from Mt. Ararat to join a new co-op team hosted by Lewiston High School. MSAD 75 officials said they have been reviewing options to ensure interested student-athletes can participate in the upcoming hockey season, and that they are hopeful they can improve participation and reinstate Mt. Ararat’s own boys hockey program in the near future.