BANGOR – Bangor High School athletic director Steve Vanidestine has been suspended from his job without pay for three weeks as the result of a school department investigation into an incident that took place after a Feb. 15 basketball game in which a student alleged he was assaulted by the school official.

In addition to the suspension, which began Tuesday, Vanidestine was placed on school probation for one year and must fulfill several other requirements as designated by the school department, according to Vanidestine’s attorney, Terence Harrigan.

“There was disciplinary action recommended by the superintendent,” said Harrigan. “Steve had the right to appeal but chose not to. He accepted the discipline.”

Bangor schools Superintendent Robert Ervin said the school department’s investigation into the incident concluded Monday, but said little else about its findings and the discipline meted out to Vanidestine, the school’s athletic director for 22 years.

“It’s a personnel matter, a confidential matter,” said Ervin, “but I can tell you that the school department investigation has been completed, and disciplinary action has been taken.

“That’s all I can tell you right now.”

The incident took place immediately after an Eastern Maine Class A boys basketball playoff game between Bangor and Brewer at Red Barry Gymnasium on the Bangor High campus.

According to 18-year-old Dave Brookings, a Bangor High senior, he and a group of students decided to congratulate the Bangor team after its victory and went on the court, where he was stopped by Vanidestine.

After the incident, Brookings went to police with a complaint involving Vanidestine.

“One thing I want to make really clear is that nobody blames the kid for what happened,” Harrigan said. “He didn’t deserve to have happen what happened to him.”

Vanidestine, 53, has been summoned for assault by Bangor police in relation to the incident, and is scheduled to appear in 3rd District Court in Bangor on March 24 for arraignment.

The Penobscot County District Attorney’s Office also is continuing to assess the case to determine whether to move forward or not.

“We’re still reviewing it,” said District Attorney R. Christopher Almy. “There’s more investigating to be done, and the Bangor police are still working hard on this case.

Vanidestine is a 1970 graduate of Bangor High, where he played football and baseball. He graduated from the University of Maine in 1976 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education. He has a master’s degree in sports physiology and a certificate of advanced study in secondary administration.

“Steve’s really anxious to make things right for everybody involved and get this behind him,” said Harrigan.