Nearly two years after the coaching staff of Rockwall-Heath High School were collectively dismissed for their role in grueling exercises forced on student athletes, a Texas mom is now suing all of those who were involved.
Coach John Harrell and company allegedly forced their team to perform nearly 400 push-ups with no rest or water breaks for an hour, leading to at least 26 players being diagnosed with symptoms of rhabdomyolysis— a potentially fatal medical condition involving the breakdown of muscle tissue and the release of muscle fiber contents into the bloodstream.
The mother who initiated the lawsuit claims her son spent seven days in a hospital with a potential life-threatening medical condition. The representing attorney, Mike Sawicki, said his client’s son was battling kidney failure. The lawsuit also states the school athletic director directly warned coaches not to use physical exercise as punishment.
The students were being disciplined for not showing enough hustle on the field and for uniform infractions. In the national fallout following the incident, coach Harrell was placed on administrative leave, resigning as coach two months later.
The lawsuit also references findings from a previously confidential report held by the district, citing private messages conducted by coaches discussing student’s injuries and plans to undermine the credibility of injured athletes.
There are currently two other lawsuits filed by other parents whose children were affected by the workout. Yet, this is the first time all former assistant coaches were named.
You can read texashsfootball.com past coverage about the incident here and here.
