Education

High School Basketball Players Sue Coach for ‘Whipping’ Them

The boy’s basketball team at Murrah High School in Jackson, Miss. has sued its head basketball coach for what they say is whipping them for running plays wrong. The coach doesn’t deny the allegations, although he calls it “paddling,” but says he was doing it for the players’ own good.

“I took it upon myself to save these young men from the destruction of self and what society has accepted and become silent to the issues our students are facing on a daily basis,” first-year head coach Marlon Dorsey said in a statement. “I am deeply remorseful of my actions to help our students.”

In a letter addressed to parents, ESPN reports, Dorsey said the punishment was used for a variety of reasons, including disrespecting teachers, stealing cell phones, leaving campus without permission, being late for class and not following the dress code.

The boys, however, say that the beatings were sports performance-related. In their lawsuit, ESPN says, the players say they were physically and verbally abused by Dorsey after running plays incorrectly, and were hit by a weight belt that weighed anywhere from five to 10 pounds.

“It was very forceful,” Jason Hubbard Sr., a father, told the The Clarion-Ledger. He said he witnessed his son get hit: “It wasn’t like a spanking, it was a whipping. There’s a difference.”

According to ESPN, corporal punishment has been banned in Jackson Public Schools since 1991, though it is allowed in other parts of the state.

Not all parents are upset with Dorsey, however, and some are coming to his defense. “He has made them go to study hall, makes them turn in their homework and makes them give weekly reports of their school work,” Gary Love, whose son plays for Dorsey, told the Ledger. “It’s been all positive with one bad incident. He made a huge mistake, but he is human.”

Dorsey has been suspended with pay.

Comments (44)

  • JaneLovesJesus
    Posted on November 12, 2010 at 11:53pm

    I think this is stupid. They are high schooler — nearly adult, and basketball is a sport. If you don‘t practice effectively it isn’t a moral failing, and there already is a built-in consequence for your actions: you will lose ballgames. No lawsuits, but coach, come up with some new tools to motivate.

    Report Post »  
  • Here2do
    Posted on November 12, 2010 at 10:20pm

    Hell, make him the principle!

    Report Post » Jesse Tampa, FL  
  • ChiefGeorge
    Posted on November 12, 2010 at 4:34pm

    From about the 3rd grade to the 10th grade I was beat with a wooden paddle, yardstick (3ft) or a hand ruler (1ft). I survived and am a better person for it. My folks also did not spare the rod and mainly cracked me and my sisters with a belt, hand or other from time to time. We fell in line and this was mostly done with our best interest at heart. All three of us are functioning and very normal productive citizens of this land we call America. I never had a teacher abuse this discipline. If brought back today it would be abused because we no longer have values and common sense.

    Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
  • cmsmik
    Posted on November 12, 2010 at 4:18pm

    mizflame98

    I agree! There are deans and other designated faculty to punish these kids if necessary. Why would the coach take it upon himself to punish them for “taking a cell phone or talking back?” This guy is a pervert. Period!

    Report Post »  
  • cmsmik
    Posted on November 12, 2010 at 4:11pm

    Pervert

    Report Post »  
  • Psychosis
    Posted on November 12, 2010 at 2:35pm

    i dont have a problem with parental consent for corporal punishment, but this isnt right. to publicly “whip” anyone takes it too far. In the past , in my experience, if I acted up enough to receive a spanking, i would be sent to the principle, who would then call my parents and ask permission. If given permission, the principle would call in a witness, and the punishment would be administered……….three firm but not violent smacks to my derriere, while the parent was still on the phone. Needless to say, the bus ride home was uncomfortable, and quite disconcerting………….mom was waiting for me, and so was dad when he got home. Needless to say, I made an effort to stay on my best behavior.

    This public display is inappropriate, and with the abandonment of corporal punishment in our schools, methods , rules and requirements for this type of discipline have lost any structure, or oversight. Corporal punishment was an effective tool and was very successful when administered with control, parental consent, and guidelines. This should be as described, a last effort. But with the creep of progressives within our schools and homes, and the over reach of child advocates (government child safety groups) discipline is lacking, and it is showing. ……….(for all you screaming about child abuse yes yes i know, we need to look out for the safety of our children blah blah blah…….there is a difference between abuse and discipline, and i am a firm believer that it is abuse to not discipline your child.)

    Report Post » Psychosis  
  • teddrunk
    Posted on November 12, 2010 at 12:30pm

    My family went through a Catholic School in the 60s, all nuns with yardsticks.

    Report Post »  
  • zagfan
    Posted on November 12, 2010 at 12:24pm

    There are so many boys that don’t have a father in their lives. They have turned to the streets and gangs for someone to look up to…A coach can be a huge influence in a young man’s life, often a father figure.

    It sounds to me that he is straightening the boys up, not just on the basketball floor, in the class room and off campus. I think we need more of this kind, less law suits, and if a parent doesn’t want to do their job, they need to shut up and sit down.

    Some times just talking to these kids doesn’t get it..A little force registers! A sense of respect for the alpha male, the coach, takes the sass out of their future prisoners.

    Report Post » zagfan  
  • joelack55
    Posted on November 12, 2010 at 12:21pm

    We used to get LICKs from teacher and coaches all the time. SO WHAT! Somebody has to get these kid attention

    Report Post » joelack55  
  • N1GHT
    Posted on November 12, 2010 at 11:31am

    The kids not even moving much the coach needed a paddle!!!!

    Report Post » N1GHT  
  • LadyLiberty
    Posted on November 12, 2010 at 10:06am

    Fire him and let the parents sue. the end.

    Report Post » LadyLiberty  
  • seanpatriot
    Posted on November 12, 2010 at 9:33am

    I was paddled quite often in high school in the 80′s, I think they should bring it back. LOOK AT OUT SOCIETY NOW! The kids are stupid and belligerent.

    Report Post » seanpatriot  
    • toxic_freedom
      Posted on November 12, 2010 at 12:10pm

      Sadly you are right, I am just outta high school and I remember the early elementary years when the paddle was still a means of correction, simple corrections for “particular behaviors” from school or my mom and most the time both probably changed a lot with my out come. Most kids my age lack respect, and good work ethics, I am fearful of the world I will one day be bringing my own children into.

      Report Post » toxic_freedom  
  • FANGS
    Posted on November 12, 2010 at 9:10am

    If anyone ever lays a finger on either of my kids, That person will go for a ride and then be beaten with a baseball bat until he expires.

    Report Post »  
    • seanpatriot
      Posted on November 12, 2010 at 9:35am

      You’re half the problem.

      Report Post » seanpatriot  
    • Capitalist Mama
      Posted on November 12, 2010 at 12:52pm

      I agree with Fangs. No one should (or will) lay a finger on my child. *Especially* if I am watching.

      If I am around, I will spank my child. If I am not around, call me. I will come and discipline my child. It’s not an appropriate discipline for a coach to carry out.

      Report Post »  
    • Amerigo Vespucci
      Posted on November 12, 2010 at 1:52pm

      Great, then you will go to prison and your children will be raised by foster parents. Nice us of logic.

      Report Post » Amerigo Vespucci  
  • UlyssesP
    Posted on November 12, 2010 at 8:51am

    Poothies!

    Report Post » UlyssesP  
  • benrush
    Posted on November 12, 2010 at 8:43am

    I got paddled hard in the second grade, and it didn’t ruin me. It wasn’t just however, because I was being punished for something I didn’t do. I still remember the guy’s name, Dale Bufler, who had been informed that I walked on the top of the desks when the teacher left the room. This was a lie told by some of my schoolmates. He paddled me good, and a couple others who actually had been walking on top of the desks. I held a grudge for a long time. I would have loved to see him corrected, at the time. I guess growing up allows you to take a more generous and forgiving stance.

    Report Post »  
  • rbcintexas
    Posted on November 12, 2010 at 8:27am

    I remember growing up, in the 7th grade I had a coach that apparently was not getting any decided to paddle the entire gym class because someone was talking. There were no lawsuits but the next year the coach was gone.

    Report Post » rbcintexas  
  • Sandy
    Posted on November 12, 2010 at 8:25am

    Any time I was in trouble at school, my coaches would make me run at practice until my legs would fall off….(not really fall off). But that sent a good message to me to lead by being a good example. However, many people have left raising their children to teachers, principals, etc. Parents do not make their children accountable for their actions. I teach Martial arts where many people bring their children to learn self-discipline. It doesn’t take long to discover that the lack of self-discipline comes from lack of parenting.

    Report Post » Sandy  
  • VoiceofReason
    Posted on November 12, 2010 at 8:24am

    The coach did it because the parents won’t. Also maybe I missed it but it does not look like he is using something very hard. The kid is not even moving. Looks to be more for show then anything. Maybe i’m wrong but watch the video again and see if the kids moves at all.

    Report Post »  
  • Mousey
    Posted on November 12, 2010 at 8:15am

    He’s an idiot.
    Why is this newsworthy?

    Report Post » Mousey  
  • ObammysMammy
    Posted on November 12, 2010 at 8:11am

    They used to paddle us in school for disciplinary reasons. But it was a dean, behind closed doors (not in front of everyone on a basketball court) It was moderate swings – enough to get your attention, but nothing like the full tennis swing he’s taking. And you got UP TO three swats. Not a continual whipping like that video shows him doing.

    I think corporal punishment is useful, but then you get some bonehead like that who takes it too far.

    Report Post » ObammysMammy  
  • booger71
    Posted on November 12, 2010 at 8:04am

    I got paddled 42 years ago by my High School football coach. Is it too late to sue?

    Report Post » booger71  
    • Areyoukiddingme
      Posted on November 12, 2010 at 8:11am

      I got smacked several times with a rule through out a year in 4th grade. That happened with in the last 20 years.

      Report Post » Areyoukiddingme  
    • Oh, God!
      Posted on November 12, 2010 at 8:13am

      I got paddled in 1st grade, won’t say how many years ago, but many. To this day I can’t go around and look at wood, I go completely crazy. I am scarred for life. (sarcasm on).

      Report Post » Oh, God!  
    • RightPolitically
      Posted on November 12, 2010 at 12:58pm

      Of course it is not (too late) in SOCIALIST, wimpy ACLU mentality AMERICA!

      Report Post » RightPolitically  
  • DagneyT
    Posted on November 12, 2010 at 8:00am

    If parents would discipline their kids, teachers & coaches would not have to do it for them.

    Report Post » DagneyT  
    • SICKANTIRED
      Posted on November 12, 2010 at 8:23am

      I got my butt whooped by my parents and learned my lesson…I Don’t believe in time outs if my kid does something really wrong well you know.

      Report Post » SICKANTIRED  
  • Ronko
    Posted on November 12, 2010 at 7:56am

    I’m not sure where I should stand on this issue. The coach needs to be hard but their is a line in the sand that you just can’t cross.

    Report Post »  
    • grandmaof5
      Posted on November 12, 2010 at 8:11am

      Please, my son played football for the “winningest” coach in FL and if you didn’t make your grades you knew the paddle was coming and coming hard. Deans used a paddle for discipline when my kids were in school, they had to have another person in the room, but it was a deterent to bad behavior. I gave full permission. If these kids are going to play football on Friday nights I imagine the coach didn’t paddle them too hard or injury would keep them from playing – wimps, we have raised a generation of wimps. It sounds like some enterprising lawyer saw dollar signs and passed them on to the players and their families.

      Report Post »  
    • grandmaof5
      Posted on November 12, 2010 at 8:34am

      Ditto for basketball only they play more than one game a week.

      Report Post »  
    • snowleopard3200 {mix art}
      Posted on November 12, 2010 at 8:46am

      There indeed is a line not to be crossed,

      @Grandmaof5

      Morning, there are times I am glad indeed my Granffather raised me some summers and one full school year. It was fun, and hard work at the same time, and maybe all the kids of the world would have been better off with a dose of a grandparents discipline.

      I imagine though, if I had been reared in Florida I would have been hunting gators, instead of the nice havalina’s around the ranch, and the occasional wild boar hunt he took me on as well.

      Thank God for Grandparents.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • mizflame98
      Posted on November 12, 2010 at 9:03am

      No, this coach is just plain creepy. This dude would be picking his teeth up off the floor if he decided to spank my kid.

      Report Post » mizflame98  
    • Bauervision
      Posted on November 12, 2010 at 11:24am

      I’m with you Grandma, we have raised a bunch of wimps. Should this guy been allowed to do this? No way, should there be some kind of punishment that is actually a deterrent? Yes. I remember 2nd grade and seeing the paddle in the principals office, that did it for me! I was a good boy!

      Today we have parents that refuse to be parents and pass their kids off to public school as a way of escaping their responsibilities of raising their kids. If these kids knew that there was going to be hell to pay at home if ANY kind of bad comment came home about their behavior, things might be different.

      Report Post » Bauervision  
    • toxic_freedom
      Posted on November 12, 2010 at 12:01pm

      Ha I am just outta high school and man I have to agree with this coach, I moved around a lot through most my elementary, secondary, and high school career, some places were worse than others and some places had punishment like that while others did not and from my experience and when much younger getting the ole paddle once or twice myself, my grades and behavior are in many thanks to that. My generation sickens me, we are taught that everything should be handed to us, we lack respect for our fellow man, we are lazy as hell, and competitive attitudes are wrong. I have seen the liberal agenda shoved down my throat from the moment I have stepped into some of these classes, and to tell you the truth I am afraid of the future. The idea of the whole feel good generation becoming the workforce is insanity; I know so few my own age with any decent work ethic at all, I have known idiots getting diplomas solely for showing up and being there too long, I have a cousin that sues on accidents he causes. Todays tomorrow is not looking to bright, for that coach I respect him and what he was doing, society has told us that everything will be alright no matter how we act, or what we do or lack of doing, but he is one of the few who has tried to stand against that and teach my generation respect, working towards something instead of being handed it, and taking pride in achievements. I hope he wins his case against these people.

      Report Post » toxic_freedom  
    • grandmaof5
      Posted on November 12, 2010 at 2:16pm

      Toxic_Freedom, you are wise beyond your years. You will be fine, you just keep up doin‘ what you’re doin’ – life has a way of putting young people back on the right path, it is just a shame that it doesn’t teach them before they become adults. Honesty and integrity are the most important lessons you can get in your young life so hang on to them. Once they are lost it is very hard to get them back.

      Report Post »  
  • tea ****** patriot
    Posted on November 12, 2010 at 7:56am

    commie liberal nazi colaborators,

    just like soros,

    and teachers, and service workers

    tea bag patriot  
    • Sledgehammer
      Posted on November 12, 2010 at 8:38am

      time to get a new dig! this one is 1 to old.

      Report Post » Sledgehammer  
    • Rogue
      Posted on November 12, 2010 at 10:06am

      ******, you forgot the first rule of trolling again – you forgot to call us all racists.

      Report Post » Rogue  
    • CALL ME SNAKE
      Posted on November 12, 2010 at 12:24pm

      Broken record… you’ve already said the exact same thing on other posts. Since you have no reasonable argument, just parrot the same thing over and over again and hope it sticks. It doesn’t. Those tired old tactics don’t work anymore. You will never win on the battlefield of ideas because you don’t have any. Have a nice day!

      Report Post » CALL ME SNAKE  
    • Dig4Oil
      Posted on November 12, 2010 at 5:24pm

      Why don’t you go hang with The Ed Show….?? Moron!!!

      Report Post » Dig4Oil  
    • rolandg79
      Posted on November 12, 2010 at 6:40pm

      unable to get it right the first hundred times Pain retains!!

      Report Post » rolandg79  

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