youhavenoidea;
Just curious, but what brought up this comment after almost four months of dormancy on this blog?
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Is there some new activity concerning this case?

I cannot believe that the people who wrote these horrible things. I know the family and they tried and tried to get the district to handle things under the table. They refused to address any concerns about this student. Why didn't she put her pads on? Because they refused to open the locker room doors for her. If there was no discrimination, then the coaches could have gone in the boys locker room and got her a set of pad to wear. Why wasn't that done? Because they could give a rats a@@ about a girl who is playing. Everyone else had pads in the blocking drills but her. I don't care if you're a girl or a boy that's not safe. That's the biggest thing. Discrimination was happening before this event and this broken collar bone thing just put the family over the edge. I know they told the daughter that she had to be tough and put up with a lot of crap because it is a male dominated sport. When she got hurt, however, it was time to do something. Too bad the district didn't try to fix the situation. You know the mother works in the district and I would assume the LAST thing she'd want to do is have this hanging over her head while she tries to work. Shame on all of you for bashing this girl and this family without knowing the truth. SHAME SHAME

oldschool:
So if a woman plays a mans sports we need to get them a woman coach? So when Brian Cashore coached the womens basketball team, he should have always had a womans coach right beside him since he is a man? You aren't making much sense.
We aren't all hanging the coaches, but we do share our opinion based upon personal things that have happened to us. Grover is sexist and don't bother trying to say he isn't because I've dealt with it personally. It would not surprise me if he did something like what is described. Just because I think it's possible, doesn't mean that I think it's a slam dunk and he did it.
We can think that the incident has merit and that it could have happened, but what we think out here in virtual world, doesn't mean anything. I think the girl is an idiot for not refusing to do a drill without pads, but I can see how she felt she had to in order to get some playing time.
Anybody coming from the Evansville School District knows there is a "men are better than women" attitude about sports. It happens in most school districts. The girl suing isn't just suing for herself but all the other girls who were and will be discriminated against for playing a mans sport in hopes that it will some day stop.
If the facts come out that it was all bull crap, it doesn't change the fact that sexism and the "men are better than women" attitude exists. Even if she doesn't win, it will maybe make the coaches think twice about what they do and say. All coaches everywhere, not just in Evansville.

I DONT KNOW WHY WE NEED THE COURT SYSTEM? IT LOOKS LIKE MOST OF YOU HAVE THE COACH CONVICTED. I HOPE NONE OF YOU HAVE SOMEONE SAY SOMETHING ABOUT YOU IN THE PAPERS.WE DONT KNOW ALL THE FACTS AND MAY NEVER KNOW, THAT DOSENT MEAN THE SCHOOL IS HIDDING SOMETHING. WE ALL SEEM TO JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS. LETS LET THE PEOPLE INVOLVED HANDLE THIS. THIS IS NOT WATERGATE. I WONDER IF THIS SIDE TAKING IS JUST WHAT SOMEONE WANTS? THE PERSON THAT WANTS ALL THE COACHES AND STAFF FIRED AND REPLACED , WELL GOOD LUCK ON REPLACING THEM. MABEE THEY WILL TAKE THE JOB? BET NOT. I PLAYED FOR THESE COACHES IN THE 70S AND 80S BEEN AROUND THE FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL FOR 30 YRS. I NEVER SEEN ANYONE PLAY OR PRACTICE WITHOUT THE PROPER EQUIPTMENT. I THINK THIS IS A BIG SETUP AND THE SCHOOL NEEDS TO STEP UP AND TELL THEIR SIDE OF THE STORY. IN THE FUTURE IF A GIRL WANTS TO PLAY FOOTBALL THEN WE NEED TO GET HER A WOMAN COACH JUST TO MAKE SURE WE GOT OUR BUTS COVERED. REMEMBER THIS IS OUR SCHOOL AND OUR $ THAT WILL BE USED TO FIGHT THIS SO THE ONES THAT THINK THIS IS GREAT, HOPE YOUR WALLET IS FULL.

Ivy is my cusin and i am very close to her. She has always loved sports (ANY SPORT) and football would problay be her favorite. Ivy and I are pretty close to the same size and yes I'm 6' and NOT 80 pounds soaking wet. The coach had no right to do that to her.
But she is an excellent player and he knows that , but once he found out she was a female that seemed to escape his mind and not provide her with proper safty equipment. COMPLETLY DISCRIMINATION!! and that bogus. They let her on the team, so they need to treat her with repect that was given to all the other players!

What is really telling is this Mom works as a teacher for the school district. Look how they treated her. It gives you a clue as to how they treat the rest of us.

bleed them dry??? Please they should be asking for twice the amount they are after what they did to her.

There needs to be coaching changes from the freshman coach on up to the athletic director. They are all responsible for this.

They have gotten away with doing what they want , to who they want way to long.

legal man is a joke. What a sexist pig.It is well known through the h.s. that she was treated differently. They she was treated badly. That there was snack, treats in the boys locker room, that her mom did complain to cashore and he did nothing, that they would not open the locker room for her because they wanted her to quit.

VERY GLAD HER FAMILY HAS A BACK BONE. AND WON'T ALLOW THEIR DAUGHTER TO BE TREATED IN THAT MANNER.

TAKING A STAND FOR ALL YOUNG GIRLS AND WOMEN.

GOOD FOR THEM.
They did not want a girl on their team. There are alot people who know her, she is a good decent kid and works hard.

They treated her very badly.

This school is in some trouble and they know it.

IT IS ALWAYS FIRST AND LAST THE COACH'S JOB TO MAKE SURE ALL PLAYERS ARE SAFE. IF SHE DID NOT HAVE EQUIPMENT THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE ALLOWED HER ON THE FIELD.

THEY HAVE KEPT MALE PLAYERS FROM PLAYING BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE THEIR EQUIPMENT WITH THEM.

IT IS A CLEAR CASE OF DISCRIMINATION. NOT TO MENTION THE INJURY.

oh and LEGALMAN your comment is rediculous. He should have a key to the girls locker room because whether he likes it or not, one of his team members is GIRL. A boy wouldn't make such fuss about it because it would NEVER happen to him.

I AM FROM EVANSVILLE, and i happen to know the full story: the coaches failed to unlock the GIRLS LOCKERROOM where her safety gear and pads were. THEY WOULDN'T UNLOCK IT FOR HER, so being dedicated she tried to practice without them because her coaches wouldn't unlock it for her and even when she informed them THEY DIDN'T DO ANYHING. When she practiced she ended up breaking her collar bone. THIS SUIT is NOT about her not getting the injury period. AND it is not about her being a girl and not getting enough playing time. IT IS ABOUT THE FACT THAT A GIRL SHOULD AT LEAST BE ALLOWED THE PROPER GEAR TO AT LEAST PRACTICE! IF she's good let her play if not put her on the bench period. Nobody is arguing that. The point is boys and girls should be equally treated in practice ESPECIALLY when concerning the proper athletic gear, when the game comes base it on talent nobody is complaining there. SO IF YOU DONT' KNOW THE WHOLE STORY DON'T MAKE ASSUMTIONS YOUR JUST MAKING YOURSELF LOOK LIKE AN IDIOT....

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.

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 or to embarrasee. with this worry to prevent 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 districts system.

I know this girl and so does almost every boy on the freshman team. She has played football on the playground with them since kindergarten. She is not a tiny girl and has handled herself on the school team in both seventh and eigth grade. Would it be a big deal if it was a boy and he was hurt? Yes, if that boy was not allowed his pads or access to the locker room - that is the point. It was due to her sex that she was the only one without equipment. She knows better. She asked for the locker room to be open - that's where the gear was...it wasn't done for her. Day after day it was an issue and no one stepped up. People in charge of the program and the district were asked for their help and again...no one stepped up. I love the team, wouldn't miss a game. I know the coaches as fellow community members and they are all great people too. But she was not afforded the same opportunities due to her sex and that is against the law. I'm proud of her for making a stand and being strong. Hopefully a lesson is learned to keep future girls and boys involved and safe.

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

good point made by avg. joe.

I would love to see a independent investigation of this.

Let each side put up so much money, let the judge decides who does the investigation.

This will not happen as Evansville will want to shut this up and not have to have details made available to the public, so they will settle out of court.

There are questions.
As far as expense, I get to several school board meetings a year, or read the minutes and follow up with board members when I have concerns or questions.

I am shocked at times the sily things the school pays a consultant for. Some of the things they could do them selves if they just took the time and were more committed.

So this would be money well spent as it would give people peace of mind, after all this is the school we send our kids to.

The community needs to know they , the school can be trusted.

right now there are questions.

I appreciate the response of curtaincall as her son saw and experienced what had happened. I have only read the article everyone is responding to so I am not even going to try and say I know everything that is going on. Curtaincall is the first person who has said my son saw what had happened, and if that is the case he should be cooperating with both sides of this investigation as an impartial witness. I will reiterate what I said earlier; I have read to much of I saw this coming, when I was there Ron Grovesteen was mean to me so he must have been mean to her, the school is corrupt. Ladies and gentleman we are talking about a school district this is not communist Russia. I also agree with Pat that there should be an independent resource to investigate any complaint made within the school district. However is everyone who is so fired up about this willing to pass a referendum increasing their taxes to pay for these independent consultants. If not it is just hot air and their own biases and anger clouding the situation. I am a law enforcement officer; I have interviewed children, adolescents, and adults over a variety of issues, crimes and complaints. I know that every parent wants to believe that their child is not a bully, always tells the truth and would never lie. Fact is that is not the case, now that this is a media issue many kids will be very scared, intimidated and pressured to say what their parents believe happened or what they think people want them to say. It’s called imaginative memory if people tell you what happened enough you will believe those are the facts. People will tell you they saw the accident when in fact they heard the crash and turned around to see the aftermath. But remember back to what you said as a child and how much of that was true and completely accurate. Especially when you got hurt or did something you weren't supposed to. I am not calling this girl or anyone else a liar here, but lets let this process run its course. In response to several comments of "a lawyer would not take this case unless it was extreme because of the cap against schools." Try spending some time in a courthouse for a while. You will find a lawyer who will sue for anything they can if it means an hourly rate or % for them. If a lawyer will sue a home owner because the burglar injured himself when he was robbing someone a lawyer will sue over a sports injury. A lawyer who passes law school with D-'s and passes the bar exam by one question is still a lawyer but it doesn't mean they are the smartest or brightest lawyer. So for all of you who will respond to this quote with anger and more rhetoric remember you are doing exactly what you have been preaching against; kids shunning and making fun of other kids, except now it is adult on adult because I don't agree with your opinion. A good example for our kids, right! Yet everyone doesn't understand why it happens or where it comes from.

Food for Thought.

WHAT ABOUT THOSE BLUE DEVILS??? HOLY SMOKES THEY ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!! THESE kids have worked way to hard this year, to let this set them off course. As long as they keep their heads about them, they will go all the way to state. They are that good. They have worked hard. They are smart , bright , hard working kids.

I like the idea behind this idea of being able to leave comments, but then we have the issue of everyone speculating.

I get the feeling their is more to this case than what we have been told so far. We really need to wait until we have heard the entire story.

I do know for a fact most lawyers, even special education lawyers kind of cringe when someone wants to sue a school district.
IT'S not easy to find one who will actually go ahead and do it.
There is a cap on how much they can sue for, so many just don't have the interest in going there.
Thats why I think there is more to this story than what we have been told so far, because I think being it is a school, I don't know if a lawyer would take it just on what we have been told as of yet.

I am a advocate for parents with special needs, so I know how hard it can be to find a lawyer to take on a school district.

The Blue Devils play Sat at 3p.m.,, in Evansville we need anyone and everyone to come on out and cheer (scream) them on.

These kids have nothing to do with this mess and they need our support.

I and my family is VERY PROUD OF THEM. NO matter where the playoff road takes them.

I think the last post got it as close to correct it's the 'old' way of thinking that got them into trouble. My son's always left their equipment at school even during summer practice, as they walked or rode their bikes until they and their friends were old enough to drive. Which this girl is only a freshman , so good chance she got their by the same means foot or bike.

It's very true they have let Ron do what ever he wants because he wins. I tried talking with Brian Cashore about a issue two years ago and got no where.

Some commented how for certain practice's sometimes's they don't wear pads at all, well the problem with that idea is ,, everyone else was.. and the coaches did not stop this girl, they told her to ' get out there .'. I have had the freshman coach make a water boy out of my son one practice because he did not have all his gear and could not practice with out it. Which is only right.

As far as the school investigating, I have suggested to several school board members there needs to be a new policy on how the investigations are handled. They are investigating them selves and very biased with their findings. So I don't put much into a ' school investigation. ' I don't find the school to be any more credible in this manner than the girl. I have seen for my self how they work. IT's called cover up and shut up.

The school is covering its butt right now. They can't deny she got hurt. Why did she get hurt? Because they let her practice without pads. They are guilty of negligence, and I have no doubt six months from now we will all find they settled this out of court. as one person already suggested.

There are alot of things that go on at that school that people just don't want to admit can still happen in this day and age.

The Evansville Blue Devils have a EXCELLENT team this year and I can see them going very far... They have worked very hard.

As far as numerous complaints againest Ron, yes there have been, but he has coached along time as well. Maybe to long, people get way to comfortable after a while, and think they can do as they please.

Where the ---- was her freshman coach??? But then of course Ron is head guy and they all do what he says.

The Evansville School District is a small town district that hasn't quite came out of the "old" age yet and thinks that women are not able to do sports as well as men. I wanted to play football back in 7th grade when Oconnell was the Athletic Director and got told specifically by him and a group of male coaches, "You don't want to play football. You're a girl and you will get hurt." Being the non confrontational person I am, I just accepted it and played volleyball. I wish I would have played football and been able to make them eat their words, but when I was being told I couldn't handle it from the get go, I knew that they would make it that much harder for me to succeed.
I wish that equality would prevail in this society, but it will never happen so it's really all about how much chance you want your daughter to take. In society these days, even if you really want to believe that it's fair, it isn't that way. Especially when you're talking about adolescent boys that don't want a girl to play with them and will do what they can to show her that they are more dominating and when you have coaches that grew up in an era that considered women as a lesser being.

The Evansville coaching staff has always given my children excellent training and been wonderful mentors to them. We are very proud of the 2007 team. Let’s not let this unfortunate situation cloud their accomplishments.

I would also remind you that school had not started on August 30 when this alleged incident happened. During this time, many players carried their equipment back and forth from home and don't really use the locker rooms. And the night before a game, the teams don’t usually have fully contact meaning they don't wear pads. The facts just don't add up for what this person is claiming.

It's apparent that none of you have ever been on the other side of lawsuit. I can assure you there are people out there who have a certain sense of entitlement and when something goes wrong, they look around to see who else they can blame.

I'd give this situation at least a 50 percent chance of fitting into the category of "my kid got hurt and while she and I hold most of the blame, I've found a fresh out of school lawyer who will sue."

As I said before, there are two sides to every story. That point is driven home when Ms. Carvin is quoted as saying the girl's facts weren't straight.

We will never know what happened, because E.H.S. will settle this out of court, and have a gag order in place so no one can discuss the settlement or details.

Basically cover it up make it go away. thats what they do.

evansville housewife, guess my question is: If it was a male student that injuried themselves would we be making a big deal about it? That was your question.

It really would never be the question, because the boys were all given proper safety gear and a place to change she was not.

Thats what this case is all about. Discrimination.

Average Joe:
My son is on the team and told us they(the coaches) were not very nice to her. He felt bad for her.

My daugher's friend actually wrestled with the Evansville h.s. wrestle team and never had any issues like this.

Clicks or no clicks this girls did not deserve the way she was treated.

I hope if there is any retaliation by the school they add dmgs on for that as well.

It's kind of scary it being a small school. Big stand though. Good For HER.

Of course clicks are everywhere and the school can't do anything to stop them, but what are they going to do when this poor girl walks down the halls at EHS and the rude comments begin? I went to this school and any other small town High School, if you do something and everyone (or a certain click) is against that, you are going to get kids talking. My point is she is standing up for yourself and future girls that want to play football and now she is going to get hell at school for it. And before anyone says that's life, think if that was your daughter and she was going through this.

Out of all the people who have responded to this story, how many of you were there and saw what happened? Or how many of you heard a story from a child or heard it from your child who heard it from a friend? I am just wondering where you all get this "personal" knowledge of how things went wrong and under what circumstances on the football field that day? Maybe we should wait and see what happens in court before we trash talk other people. Kids stories seem to change a lot or make them not look so foolish and embarrassed when adults get involved.

Just wondering!

Times change however I was a football player and a wrestler who played with girls in both sports. We tended to defend them more than we did another guy. When another team hit them harder or more often or what we thought were intentional cheap shots, we took care of it regardless of how many yards or points we gave up on the next play.

I don't think you can hold the school/coaches responsible for the groups kids form. I don't care what school you go to clicks are everywere. I guess my question is: If it was a male student that injuried themselves would we be making a big deal about it?

Along with this article there is an article in the Evansville Review that goes in to detail on some of the dicrimination these coaches put her through.
I'm proud of this girl, she is standing up to a whole school and doing what should have been done along time ago.
I went to Evansville Schools K-12, I know how kids form their little groups. Is the school going to step in and help her when her fellow classmates start the emontional abuse/harrassment at school? Or let it pass like everything else.

Any time Heidi Carvin has the school conduct a internal investigation it almost always comes back favoring them.

She very rarely finds fault with the school.

There needs to be a different procedure on how the investigations are conducted and who does them.

So it does not surprise me at all that Heidi found there was no negligence.

There own internal investigation means nothing.

Wow, reading these comments really brings back what living in a small town is like. I know the rumor mill is probably running nonstop and everyone thinks they have the real story. But when you hear the most recent version, remember there are probably years of stories behind that particular person's point of view. It's impossible to separate your feelings about football, coaches, your children, etc. from the current situation. So whatever side you may be for, the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle.

Remember anyone employed by the Evansville School District, especially those associated with the athletic department, will not be allowed to comment on the claim. And I would also assume that the family who filed the claim will not be able to comment either.

However you feel, don't forget that there are a bunch of kids who still have something to play for this football season and it would be a shame to have this story over shadow the hard work they (and the cheerleaders, school band, parents, teachers, janitors and everyone else) have put in the last few months.

I also wish the young woman a speedy recovery. I have a co-worker who just broke his clavicle and know that a bad break involves a few months of recovery.

We live in Evansville as well. I have always told my kids you do what your coach tells you to. You don't ever argue with the coach , refs, adults in general.

NOW I will have to add a disclaimer to that, do what your coach tell's you to only if it's not dangerous.

Funny how this falls right in the middle of playoffs.

I think its good to show our kids that no one is allowed to treat them in the manner this girl was treated. To stand up in what you believe in.

NOT is it only hard to find a lawyer to take on a school district, the reason for this is there is a cap on how much they can be sued for. So there is not as much incentive for lawyers. So this lawyer must feel there is a very strong case.

Grovesteen has been doing this type of thing for years. I think someone already mentioned the numerous complaints againest him.

IT IS the ultimate responsibilty of the coach to ensure safety of all players.

When they saw she did not have pads on they should not have allowed her on the field.

They wanted her to quit, and harrassed her until she did.

IN Evansville as long as their team's are winning they let these coach's do what ever.

Bad behaviour and all.

NICE example they are.

I work in Evansville and everyone I have talked with today, about 40 so far the majority of them made comments to the fact they could see this coming, or something like this , because he may win alot but he gets away with alot of crap.

The BIG thing about it is it's REALLY hard to find lawyers who will sue a school district. MOST lawyers will not take on this type of case unless the case is very solid.

Everyone sueing everyone???? IF someone is negligent and someone get hurts because of it, they should pay.

This girl not only got hurt but was harrassed and discrimintated againest.

What the heck, lets all sue each other, the lawyers would be so happy. It was her responsibiliey to get the gear and have it on, sounds like a put up job to me

First of all, it is the school's responsibility to provide equipment to males or females no matter the size.
Secondly, from my understanding, Mr. Updike was not even at practice that night so I guess he needs to be left out of the scenario.
Third, was the locker room open for her to get access to? The locker rooms are available to all sports players. Were they locked so she couldn't get in? Were all the bathrooms unaccessible at that same time as well? We don't know why she couldn't change into her equipment.
Fourth, what was the drill they were doing when she broke her collarbone? I can't imagine any coach that would allow their players to practice without proper equipment. My son fogot his cup one night and had to sit out. THAT'S HOW SERIOUS THESE COACHES ARE ABOUT EQUIPMENT. Why would any coach try to get a player off the team? Look at how many girls are now wrestling. Do you see coaches trying to scare them off or make things miserable for them?
Finally, why don't we wait until the claim is made public before we start firing darts in the wrong direction.
If this young lady was hurt during a practice drill where she should have had the proper equipment then yes, the school should be held responsible. However, if she was hurt because of her own doings (lack of skill, coordination, strength), then she got hurt and the family needs to move on and stop blaming others.
Regardless, let the truth be known when the claim is made public.

OH NO,, IT is the school's obligation to provide proper safety equipment to everyone out for any sport. THEY did not do that by denying access to a PROPER PLACE to change and keep her equipment.

BOY OR GIRL has the right to go out for this sport.

JEFF UPDIKE is the freshman coach and pretty full of himself and this just goes to show. NOW I will say I don't know what he did or did not do, but the freshman team is what he coaches.

Shame on Evansville Housewife for implying this girl should not have gone out for this sport, because its male domintated. DO you have daughters?? Do you want them to be treated like that?

IT's kind of funny because UPDIKE told my neighbors son to get a hair cut because his hair was longer and told him the helmets could come off easier with longer hair???

YET he or the other coaches lets them practice with out pads.???

ITS the coaches JOB when they see some one with out safety equipment to get them OFF the field.

MY son lost his mouth piece and grovesteen would not let him practice. A MOUTH piece yet they let this young girl practice with no pads???

They wanted her to quit and made things miserable for her.

I think after the playoffs Grovesteen and that entire coaching staff have to go.

Grovesteen has had numerous complaints againest him and has a file yo thick.

I think this will be the nail in the coffin.

LETS NOT Forget good old MR. Brian Cashore. The mother tried going to him to complain and HE DID NOTHING>....

Good for them having the guts to stand up to a corrupt system and to this school.

To really know what happened you'd have to read the claim and counterclaim. Was this girl 80 pounds soaking wet, and working out with the freshman team, or is she 180 and 6 feet?
I am wondering about the school's legal obligation to provide gear appropriate for her size, when said activities are extracurricular.
Football is a male-dominated sport, and I don't see how they can be liable for her being the only female. They shouldn't be required to provide females for her to practice with, which is what they seem to be requesting in this brief blurb.
It's a tough call. The coach could have treating her with resentment, or he could have been treating her just like one of the guys. I've heard football practices at other schools, and the coaches are pretty tough on the students.

For a coach to treat any player like this, whether male or female, is reprehensible. This is another symptom of a small town school district allowing athletics to run things. It's sad, but the movie "Varsity Blues" wasn't that far fetched.

Why didn't she take it upon herself to get her gear on??? it's not like she is 5 and doesn't know better