MOUNT LEBANON, Pa. -- The Mount Lebanon School District says it's "extremely disappointed" by allegations of drug and alcohol policy violations during a lacrosse team road trip.

Four high school students and one of their coaches have been removed from the team, and the home playoff game went on without them Wednesday night as the remainder of the team fought against Hampton. The students remain in school.

Lacrosse is a club sport under the jurisdiction of the Mount Lebanon Lacrosse Association, a private organization. Next year, it will become a sponsored sport in the school district.

MLLA president Jay Bedortha confirmed to WTAE Channel 4 Action News by phone late Wednesday morning that he was investigating four players.

Bedortha said the alleged violations happened while the team was in Detroit for a tournament over the weekend. He would not say specifically what the players are alleged to have done, but he said an assistant coach might have been involved as well.

The names of the students and coach have not been released.

The code of conduct specifies promises that include "applying moral principals when making choices or judgments" and stresses "a healthy lifestyle, proper nutrition and refraining from using drugs, alcohol and tobacco."

According to the association's rules, coaches must be aware of the influence they have on players and strive to be positive role models.

"That's very embarrassing to the school district," said parent Mayanne Bergin.

The team president said they are still looking into these allegations and are giving parents as many details as possible.

So far, the police have not been involved in the investigation.

A meeting with parents is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Mount Lebanon High School. Refresh this page later for updates.

The following statement was released by the school district on Wednesday afternoon:

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The Mt. Lebanon Lacrosse Association informed the Mt. Lebanon High School administration on Monday, May 19, 2008 that an incident occurred after a weekend tournament in Detroit, Michigan where four players were removed from the team for violation of the drug and alcohol policies of the Mt. Lebanon Lacrosse Association. On Tuesday night, May 20, 2008 the administration was further informed by the Association that a volunteer assistant coach traveling with the team at the tournament was also dismissed for violation of the same policies.

The Mt. Lebanon Lacrosse Association is a community based organization that is not under the jurisdiction of the Mt. Lebanon School District. As such, the players and coaches are held accountable to the rules and sanctions of the Mt. Lebanon Lacrosse Association.

The District fully supports the actions taken by the Mt. Lebanon Lacrosse Association in their handling of this situation and is also extremely disappointed with the actions of the players and coach.

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