Softball player blames school board, coach for injuries

UNION – A James Monroe High School student is suing the county school board and softball coach over claims she was injured during a game.

Ivy Jenna Hancock filed a lawsuit Jan. 21 in Monroe Circuit Court against the Monroe County Board of Education and coach Greg Wickline.

According to the complaint, Hancock in spring 2013 was directed by Monroe softball coach Wickline to collide with the opposing team's player on the field, resulting in Wickline's torn ACL.

Wickline directed the team to run the play during practices, the suit states, and Wickline carelessly and negligently directed her to collide with the other team's player. The Monroe County Board of Education is vicariously liable for permitting Wickline to direct the play, according to the suit.

Hancock says she suffered permanent injuries due to the accident.

She seeks compensatory damages along with punitive damages. Hancock is represented by attorney Paul M. Stroebel of Stoebel & Johnson in Charleston.

Monroe Circuit Court case number: 15-C-04