From hearing what fellow players and parents have said and from my own experiences, I think this whole thing is totally stupid. I played for coach Grovesteen and i will be totally honest. I never once seen him discriminate for any reason especially sex. It seems for as long as I can remember people have always gone after the man and for what: being a great coach, a good friend, being knowledgeable about the game? I disliked coach Grovesteen almost all the way through high school. He was very hard on players and pushed them to the limits. He was always nice to me but I never understood him. He conditioned players, prepared their minds, made you set goals, and got in your face when you weren't doing something right. Then it clicked to me during my junior year during a sports practice. I got in a verbal argument and stared down my most feared coach in the eyes. Surprisingly I don't even remember what it was about. I walked away with new understanding of the man and of coaches in general. I was just talking with my family about this the other day. That is what makes a great coach. Coach Grovesteen was only on my case because he saw potential being wasted. Being a young stupid high school student I had begun to understand. He pushes his players to be what he knows they can be, regardless of age, sex, race or anything else you could possibly make assumptions of. My father told me that when you assume all you do is make an "ass" of "u" and "me". Coaches are going to be hard you to prepare you, they are going to condition you, and they will push you to the limit. Not all coaches do this, but the one who do are the coaches everyone looks at and regards as the greatest coaches of all time. Great coaching is bringing out the potential in your players and making the player see it. Bobby Knight, Mike Ditka, and all other great coaches did this. If you can't take the heat get out of the kitchen. Looking back at my high school sports experiences I now see I was blessed to play for Coach Grovesteen. The man I disliked in my early high school years is now the man, looking back, is the man I idolize. He gave me and others experiences to remember. Saying she didn't have a key to the locker room, get real. No one has ever had a key to the locker room, EVER. I heard from players that there was a girls volleyball game that night.

Hmmmm, well as long as I can remember the locker room was always locked, and especially when a visiting team was coming. You don't have to be a brain surgeon to know why either. There are explanations for all of these events claimed against him. I won't give his name, but I talked with a coach/player/assistant of the team and all he had to say was he couldn't believe the nerve of this girl and her parents. The girl claims she wanted to be in the NFL. What team is going to draft a girl? (That assumes she makes it through college) The facts are that girls aren't equal to guys and vice versa. It a hard concept, but reality is that not everyone was created equal. It is known that girls have higher emotional levels, they don't have the muscle mass, and their bone structure is not the same. That is why in all sports they have women’s and men’s teams. I said once in a school paper, "Girl’s sports are girl’s sports, but guy’s sports are everyone’s sports." They would never even think about letting a guy suit up for volleyball, or softball to compete with girls. There would be an outrage! Yet as guys were expected to sit back and allow girls to do as they want? Who is really socially repressed here? Guys can't speak out how they feel on certain issues? Com'on we need to come back to reality. Fire your thoughts at our coach. He is strong enough to take the criticism, just as he taught me. When the firing squad comes at coach Grovesteen, I will be there to take the bullets for the man that taught me more about; sports, life, self-motivation, and good human qualities more than any other person in my life as of now. So support for a man that did his job by giving that girl the equal chance. A great job is what he intended and what he accomplished. Quit the nonsense and earn your 50,000 the honest way. The best things aren't free and if you really cared about sports you know you’re only taking money away from your own experiences such as sports and academics. The real truth will find its way here......

My god people come on this whole case is a joke. Aw poor girl she broke her collar bone playing football. So has many other kids. Get over yourself and grow up a bit. If she wants to walk into a male dominated world and be treated equally then your going to be treated the way every other guy is treated. You're going to be asked to cut your hair just like every other guy on the team. The treats were put in the locker rooms by a parent that had no recolection of the girl even being on the team. There are no keys given to the players to get into the locker rooms so we all have to look for a coach to open them up or a janitor. The schedules are put up in the boys cuz we have all male coaches and one of our coaches office is in the locker room and he puts up the schedules. Also she is a FRESHMAN!!!!! freshman don't play varsity unless they have some uncanning ability to play the game or are just physically gifted.Coach Grovesteen doesn't coach freshman football!! He doesn't coach their practices. There is a JV team and and JV coach. Freshman sit on there asses and learn just like all freshman have until they move up and get their chance to play. I did the same thing as a frosh. I have football for Grovesteen all four years and what I have seen is nothing but care for his althetes and he's always look out for our well being not matter who we are. Get over your self centered life and wake up.

I happen to be at this particular practice like anyother practice. I have seen no discrimination on any part of this and find all of the allegations bogus. The treats (pretzals) where put in the boys locker room by a parent of the team who probably had no knowledge that there was a girl on the team. Coach Grovesteen has been my coach for four years and every year he has told countless GUYS to cut their hair, this is for their saftey the helmets that we have are not custom fit and only protect one from a concussion if it fits properly. In order to do this a short neat hair cut is required. He only had her saftey in mind as to her getting hair cut i was right along side her doing a rolling drill without my pads on as we allways do on a day before a game. Coach may have not had a key but this was a varsity practice before a varsity game and she would not have had the oppurtunity to get in being only a freshman. Coach Grovesteen has been nothing but good to all of his players and allways had us in mind. It is horrible that this had to be a distraction in our playoff games. Which hurt many of the players and seniors who will not get the chance to play again I hope Coach will prevail in this suit.

I am glad to see the increasing number of favorable comments made by supporters of Grovesteen; those who actually have first-hand experience with him. Ron Grovesteen was my coach in multiple sports in the late '80s, and I benefited from the experience. For people like "curtaincall", "buckybadgerfan" and "molly" who seem to be looking for Grovesteen's removal from the athletic program, your desires are severely misguided. Grovesteen has worked tirelessly for nearly three decades to create a successful program that the community can be proud of. And for every student athlete (or parent) who has filed a law suit against Grovesteen, there are hundreds (perhaps thousands) more who will claim that Ron Grovesteen made a positive impact on their lives. In reading the comments about this article, it is clear that there are conflicting accounts of what really happened, (was it a contact drill, or a non-contact exercise, etc...). Facts need to be sorted from hearsay. But to post comments that Ron Grovesteen is guilty of "discrimination," is not only irresponsible, but defamatory.

I went to Evansville High School and a girl in my class played on the football team. She had no problems with the coach or gettin hit, hurt or banged up she knew what came with the sport. Coach Grovesteen has been coachin for a long time. My mom graduted from Evansville 32 years ago and he was coachin. So I think this is a "Get Rich" scam. Grovesteen would never do anything to hurt his students or players.

Pretty obvious discrimination occurred and it has little to do with her injury. She should be allowed to participate as equal as the rest of the team and she wasn't. Coach is from an older generation and granted, it's hard to change an old goat, nevertheless, he's got what's coming to him.

I have played under coached with, went to church with and even argued with coach Grovesteen. I know that these accusations are inacurrate. I just hope they don't damage the reputation and carear of a man that has changed the lives of so many poeple.. I am a ROn Grovesteen product and proud of it.. he developed me not only as an athlete but as a citizen and school teacher.. I support him 100%

Time to be real....let's call it like it is...this girl was in no shape, physically or mentally to be in a high school sport with young men. I am not putting her down...just facing facts. I would like to be a ballerina....but wouldn't look good in the tights, and can't stand on my toes. I could try, but in the end I would have to admit to my limitations and move on. I wouldn't sue the dance company because I just wasn't cut out for it...nor would I try to disgrace the person who ran the company. The fact that this teacher is trying to bring shame upon a dedicated, respected coach of our community...and ruin the morale of a great football team that has the potential to do wonderful things is horrendous...not only to them, but to the teaching staff of Evansville as well. I am a "townie" of this community, and have had the pleasure over the past 30 years to see all the amazing teams that this coach has dedicated his time, sweat, and LOVE to. Look at the conference championships, the level of play, the admiration and respect he receives from his players and fans. Ask any alumni football or basketball player about the life lessons of pride and respect that this man taught each of them...about giving 110% right to the end. I'm sure the pay is nothing compared to the hours he has devoted to the youth of Evansville. You do not get this type of respect from having "recklessly and wanton disregard" for your players. Shame on mother and daughter for this selfish, ridiculous allegation and suit, and let's just hope that she doesn't decide to go out for wrestling!!!

I hope the girl who's involved is doing alright. I think she probably understood that it is a full contact sport and sometimes you get hurt, even doing non-contact warm-up drills. However, it appears that her mother didn't fully read the waivers she signed at the beginning of the season.

It's unfortunate that someone turns this into a conversation about football vs. those who don't like football. If this was band, soccer or any other extracurricular activity, it wouldn't matter. Accidents happen to everyone. When they do, it isn't the time to come up with a list of things you (and I'm speaking about the mother, not the child) aren't happy about and turn to a lawyer.

I think Evansville taxpayers would be appalled that it's a teacher bringing this suit against the school district. It's wasting money that could otherwise go for educational use.

On an unrelated note, don't put the mom on a pedestal as a great teacher. I know several parents who have pulled their children out of her class because their children were falling behind students in other classes and the classroom didn't seem to have any organization or rules.

Congrats to the family for "daring the sacred cow of EHS football" but as someone who knows what happens inside the system, these allegations are very hard to believe. I know all the coaches personally, one is even our guidance counselor who is respected greatly across our city. Some people just don't understand I guess.

Do you really think this is about a "get rich quick" scheme at $50,000? This girl's mother is not some flighty, silly twit looking to get something for nothing. She is an outstanding and dedicated long-time elementary teacher in the Evansville district. She is a strong proponent for ALL children and for standing up for what is right for the child in all cases. She didn't make the decision to pursue this frivilously or without a lot of thought. Condemnation of this family and making bold, brash judgments about them and their motives because they dare to challenge the sacred cow of Evansville High School football shows just how truly short-sighted and small-minded some people are.

I graduated last year from Evansville and am appalled at the allegations reported against Ron Grovesteen. I worked as the assistant athletic trainer for two years and AS A FEMALE never had any problems with being discriminated against. This was one of the best parts of my life and I experienced things not many other people can claim to have. I can understand that she would want to be involved with something like this, but she needs to understand that she is trying to change things and she needs to be able to speak up for herself. If she is in need, be like the other players and ASK. If you have a problem with someone, SAY SOMETHING and offer pro-active suggestions and solutions. Don't just expect a solution to fall in your lap, come up with some.

i agree with sadie1. Look at all the greats that get hurt, it's called a contact sport for a reason. There is more to the girl's family than just not getting a treat in the locker room and not being treated like one of the guys.

Also, $50,000 sounds like a modest amount.It certainly isn't anything you'll "get rich" off of unless you have some awesome stock leads (and if you do, I want to hear about them)
Medical bills, after radiologists, orthopedists, physical therapy, etc in a case like this can easily run $10-15K. Standard legal practice is to sue for three times the cost of medical bills for pain and suffering. Since they started out asking for $50K as a bargaining point- they are most likely to settle for much less.
Also, there is the possibility that these people are either being required to sue by their medical insurance, or don't have insurance. You never know.

Hmmm.
Again, to fully understand this, we'd have to read the claim and counterclaim.
I am a woman that DOES participate in a male-dominated, full-contact sport. It takes a lot of courage because females in today's society are already afraid and intimidated by men. We are taught that the only worthy girls are quiet, pretty, attractive ones. Men don't often get date-raped or kidnapped. (ala Kelly Nolan and Angela Drake, RIP)
She has my admiration for having the guts to go for it.
That said, in my sport I was out for a year because I got hurt- of course- by a guy. Not even a bigger guy- it just takes one stupid player to do damage. I didn't sue the club. I didn't sue the instructor. I accepted the fact that I was in this sport because scrapbooking and candle parties never appealed to me. I accepted that risks come from it.
I'm curious about the waiver and physical form I am sure the girl's mother signed and submitted prior to her joining the team. She surely isn't the only one to have suffered a broken collar bone on the field.
Either way, this is a 15 year old child. I sincerely hope no one ostracizes or torments her. I realize this may be too much to ask for.

This doesn't sound like discrimination! It is absolute greed for money. How will this girl ever survive in the real world.

I know several of the high school players and this injury occured in a non-contact situation,
no other player touched her it was in a 'drop and roll' drill. Most of the players were without pads/helmets as it is usually walk-through the day before a game. It is unfortunate she got hurt but it is not negligence. Evansville has a great football program and Grovesteen is a great coach--1st class guy. Of course this just happened to coincide with the attention Evansville is getting in the playoffs-it happened over 2 months ago! GO BIG BLUE!!!!!

I have posted this in the other section the other day...How come she didn't take it upon herself to put her gear on???? and finally GO BLUE DEVILS!!!

i agree, she and her family knew when she signed up for football, that she would be the only girl on the team, she got hurt, that is sad but dont tell me the family didnt go into this whole situation honestly believing that she would never get hurt?

When going out for a team that she knew would have her as the only female, she brought on her own mental and emotional stress. I don't think a lawsuit should even consider that.

It's great to see the support for the coach here. Anyone who has been around the Evansville football program knows Ron's love of the game and for the kids that play it. The comments I've seen on television and in the paper suggest this player "just wanted to be one of the team". Someone ask them how many football camps she had attended, or how many years of youth football she had participated in, or even how many varsity games she and her mother have attended in the past. All of which have been created, led, or run, by Coach Grovesteen himself.
Sadly, it's no surprise here to see an opportunistic individual looking for someone to sue in order to get rich quick. However, to go after a good man, and a proud and honorable program, as they have here, is simply dispicable. When the smoke clears and this travesty passes, they will realize that no amount of money in the world can change who you are, or make up for the mistakes we parents make.
Life may not turn out the way you want it for yourself, or your kids, but that doesn't mean you go around this world looking to make someone else pay for it.
Thank you to the athletic director, Coach Grovesteen, and all those involved in the Evansville School district for your commitment to excellence and your devotion to our children.

Anyone with information regarding Ivyanne's case can contact her attorney at 608-283-6001 or ajf@scofflaw.com.

As an ex-football player, this is tough to swallow. At no point during my four years of playing for Coach Grovesteen and the Evansville coaching staff have I witnessed any discrimination or negligence of any kind. If we don't have a mouthguard, we don't practice; if we don't have a chinstrap, we don't practice; if we're missing a knee pad, we don't practice. Our coaches take every precaution to make sure the players are safe and healthy. I find these allegations in the story very hard to believe.
Simply put, the allegations made against Coach Grovesteen are ridiculous. I graduated in 2006 and still have very close ties with the program, so not many things have changed. Snacks (when there are some) are served in the training room where the fridge is located, not in the boy's locker room and the locker room only. Schedules are not only posted in the locker room but also right outside the locker room; there are numerous papers taped to the walls and tables sitting outside the door. Also, the coaches hand out papers to players detailing gameplans, practice plans, and extra stuff such as motivational speeches or words. Before every practice the team meets in the Media Room in the high school, where they watch film and then the coaches talk about the upcoming game and what they will be doing in practice. It's also in the media room where most things are handed out (such as jerseys and t-shirts).
Also, August 30 (the date detailed in the lawsuit) was a date before a game. Before a game, practices are basically nothing more than a walk through and review of the gameplan. The players aren't in full pads and definitely don't go full contact.
Everyone familiar with Evansville football can see Coach Grovesteen is a little bit "old school" but I find it very hard to believe he made the girl cut her hair to "look like a boy". I graduated with a guy who had long hair and Coach Grovesteen never "made" him cut it. In fact, the guy never cut his hair and he was never once neglected or treated differently because of it.
Before I was in high school we actually had two female players that I know of play football under Coach Grovesteen. I don't remember anything like this coming up then. I just find this very hard to believe.
Funny timing too, right in the thick of the playoff race. I hope the team can ignore these distractions and focus on the job at hand, and that's capturing the state title.
The players deserve it, the entire coaching staff deserve it, and most of all, Coach Grovesteen deserves it.
To Coach Grovesteen and the rest of the coaching staff: keep up the hard work, you have our support.

Just face it people, girls are not meant to play guys sports, thats why they have seperate sports in each season. if she cant handle the heat then get out of the kitchen. why would a boys coach have a key to a womens locker room? If this were to happen to a guy, would they have made such a fuss about it? no, because the sport has requirements to be met and if you get yelled at or hit too hard you get up and fix it. if you get a broken bone you heal and work it all out. you dont just victimize yourself and try to make a quick buck by sueing the school. grovesteen is a great coach and and a great person and whether or not a minor incedent happens, he doesnt deserve to have it blow up in everyones face. Lets hope evansville athletics and EHS come away with a "W" in this case and hope grovesteen has more years of coaching ahead.

Well, it goes to show that some people are athletes and some are just athletic supporters.

Wow! Is this a joke? That is not coach Grovesteen at all. All this girls family is doing is trying to make a quick dollar and get out rich. I have one word to describe this family. "Victims".
Wow, I am speechless.
Rediculous!

I have come from the evansville athletic program. These allegations are completly bogus. Coaches never had snacks in the locker room those are only from another guys parents. Grovesteen preaches short hair because with long hair a helmet doesnt protect you as it should. No to make everyone look the same. with this worry of injury he wouldnt have ever let that person step onto the practice field. Kids who are missing the slightest pad are booted off the field to get properly dressed. Also the situation with the past player who got "hit" was barely poked thats why he didnt feel the need to blow things out of proportion. He didn't feel the need to bleed the school dry And whoever stated the Varisty Blues comment just wants attention because they have no clue about the school districs system.

The comments are on Wednesday's story here: http://www.gazettextra.com/weblogs/lates....

i talked to one of the Evansville coaches since the incident and the injury took place in a drill that didn't require pads and the family who is going to sue should be ashamed for this, it is ridiculous to think that someone would go to such lengths to make a quick dollar

What happened to all the comments that were on here last night? Did the Gazette delete them all or what?

I personally know Coach Grovesteen and find this incredibly hard to believe. I played 4 years of high school football, and have also helped with off season lifting the past 2 years for the football team and know that the reported allegations would not take place under Grovesteen's watch. This is like you said Big Daddy, someone out to make a quick buck and it's unfortunate someone would go out of their way to belittle a great Coach and even greater individual for the community of Evansville. His reputation will not be tarnished.

No matter what the outcome is Coach Grovesteen's reputation is tarnished. I hope the facts prove him inocent. It looks like someone out to make a quick buck.