Yesterday, Brody Brandner, Ltd. attorney, Timothy D. Brandner, opened trial against the Illinois High School Association on behalf of Marrian Central Catholic High School student-wrestler, Jimmy Mastny, and wrestling coach, Jordan Blanton. For the second time, Jordan and Jimmy made front-page news in their legal fight against the IHSA, seeking a permanent injunction would prevent the state athletic organization from imposing disciplinary penalties that the student and coach allege to be arbitrary, capricious, and based upon an unreasonable application of the IHSA By-Laws.
Jimmy and Jordan's storied garnered wide-spread news coverage in December 2023 when the IHSA accused them of violating recruitment By-Laws, suspended Jordan from coaching for one year, and permanently suspending Jimmy from participating in any athletics for Marrian, causing Jordan and Jimmy to file a lawsuit against the IHSA in McHenry County Circuit Court through the Brody Brandner, Ltd. firm. The IHSA claimed that, when Jimmy moved in with his coach's mother so Jimmy could attend the Catholic high school, they violated rules prohibiting a student athlete from accepting residence from a person connected with or associated with the school. In their complaint filed with the court, the student and coach claim that this decision was arbitrary and unreasonable because the family member of a school employee cannot be considered as associated with or connected with the school, as those terms or utilized by the IHSA's governing documents.
Immediately after the lawsuit was filed, Jimmy and Jordan filed for and were granted a Temporary Restraining Order, prohibiting the IHSA from enforcing its disciplinary actions while the case was pending. Furthermore, while the case was pending, Jimmy and Jordan filed motions against the IHSA accusing the organization of violating discovery rules and seeking limitations on the organization's ability to take disciplinary action against the pair after the case has concluded. That motion remains pending, with Circuit Judge David Gervais ruling that he would not make a decision until after the trial has fully concluded and he has issued a decision on the request for an injunction.
Trial concluded after a little more than an hour, with the overwhelming majority of evidence and information being submitted to the Court in the form of written documents which were agreed to by the parties in advance. The judge ordered written closing arguments to be filed by the end of the week, with a decision expected shortly thereafter.
Our attorneys at Brody Brandner, Ltd. have years of experience handling complex civil lawsuits, such as Jimmy and Jordan's fight against the Illinois High School Association. We have helped numerous student athletes, families, school employees, and school athletics programs navigate IHSA transfer and eligibility By-Laws, petition for court-approved guardianship to comply with IHSA residency requirements, appeal determinations to the IHSA Board of Directors, and otherwise provide guidance and legal advice during IHSA investigations. Call (815) 374-7783 to learn how we can help you with your own complex legal issue.
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