Legal advice about sports in High School


NrrdGrrl! Discussion Forum: Just Plain Talk: Legal advice about sports in High School
By Crimson on Sunday, May 10, 1998 - 10:45 pm:

A friend of mine was recently told she would not be allowed to play Varsity Badmittin (sorry about spelling) unless she lost 25 lbs. She is ranked #1 in JV and has beaten the #1 Varsity player on occasion. This coach has also done a similar thing to another friend of mine. Can you help me find a law or similar case to show my friend? I know this is not right but I would like some proof before assisting my friend in confronting the coach.
Thanx,
Crimson


By Shampoo on Monday, May 11, 1998 - 12:35 am:

I don't know anything about law, but I think that coach is an asshole. I think there must be some legal thing about that, considering it *is* discrimination.

I think the best thing for you to do is to talk to the coach, and if he/she still doesn't budge, talk to the principal. He can't do that.


By Lee on Monday, May 11, 1998 - 01:08 am:

Not sure on exact details of law, my suggestion would be to call the local bar association to see if any lawyers could help on a pro-bono (for the public good, no fee) basis. IMHO, it seems that unless the weight posed a health risk, there's no way the coach could deny your friend a spot on the team. However, I'm not a lawyer.


By Ddg on Monday, May 11, 1998 - 12:57 pm:

I just want to say that the coach had no right to deny your freind a place on the team. I have been playing badminton for ages and in my experience you don't have to be a "right" weight to play it. If you don't have any luck with your principal go and see another sports teacher who may be more sympathetic.
Good luck


By Lynda on Monday, May 11, 1998 - 05:44 pm:

Badminton is by no means a sport that has weight (or height, age, etc.) requirements! My uncle is 340 lbs. and he plays, my grandmother is 88 and she still plays on occasion. Coach Asshole could have a little lawsuit on his hands if he has been doing this to students. Definitely talk to a school administrator about this. If the teacher does not backdown, he can probably kiss his job goodbye. Treatment like that cannot be tolerated. It is a disgrace! Crimson, please let all of us know what happens with this situation. GOOD LUCK, GRRLFRIEND!!!! *smile*


By Crimson on Monday, May 11, 1998 - 09:43 pm:

To EVERYONE!!!
I don't really have any new info, I've been plowing through pages and pages of legal web pages and my brain is about fried.
Thanks for the response though, KEEP POSTING!

luv
CiCi


By Anonymous on Saturday, June 6, 1998 - 06:39 pm:

I'm a high school athletic director, so I can tell you that your friend definately has a case! However, I would suggest bringing this to the attention of the school's athletic director first! If he/she is on top of general CIF rules (that is what governs your league and section that sports are a part of), he/she realize that the coach cannot make a decision about a player's eligibility to play at the varsity level based on her WEIGHT! That is appaling! I would personnaly be all over that coach for amking a decision like that and sending that kind of negative message to girls. I'm surprise her parents haven't asked to see the A.D. or principal about this. You're a good friend....encourage her to speak up for herself....tell her to meet with her athletic director. If the A.D. doesn't take her seriously, shame on him, go to the principal. If that doesn't work, call your section's CIF office. They will definately jump on it! Let us know what happens!


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