https://www.news-leader.com/story/s...hools-district-over-2019-ejection/8151347002/
Mike Mauk, the head football coach at Glendale High School, wants to hit Springfield Public Schools with a penalty for unfair treatment.
Mauk, 62, filed a lawsuit against the school district Friday claiming age discrimination for the way he was punished after getting thrown out of a 2019 playoff game.
The game in question, a 64-34 state quarterfinal loss to Carthage, saw Mauk get ejected after arguing with the referees who appeared to miss a violent helmet-to-helmet hit against one of his receivers.
The coup de grâce for Mauk was confronting the referees with an iPad that had a video of the play.
In his lawsuit, Mauk claims his move with the iPad was within Missouri State High School Activities Association rules, and the school district went overboard in punishing him after the incident.
Mauk claims the school district violated its progressive discipline policy and came down hard on him while ignoring more egregious conduct from younger coaches.
"The district is not able to provide specifics regarding any pending legal action; however, we will provide a general assessment of the situation," SPS spokesperson Stephen Hall said in a statement. "Mr. Mauk’s action is without merit. It is deeply unfortunate when facts are misconstrued to seek financial gain — especially from a public entity serving children. SPS must now expend taxpayer resources, better used to benefit students, to defend itself against a frivolous lawsuit. We believe the outcome, however protracted, will ultimately validate the district’s appropriate actions related to this confidential personnel matter."
According to the lawsuit, Mauk met with SPS Athletics Director Josh Scott, Glendale Athletics Director Mitch Pycior and Glendale Principal Josh Groves on Dec. 3, 2019, following the game to "discuss sideline behavior and personal fouls."
Mauk alleges the flag thrown was the first he was given during the 2019 season and that he had received only three flags for conduct from 2014 through 2019. He also alleges the meeting with the administrators was the first discussion about his sideline behavior and that he had never received discipline or reprimand before the meeting.
Mauk alleges he was placed under an action plan and was informed that if he failed to sign it or agree to it, he would be terminated as Glendale's head coach.
The lawsuit says "the disciplinary action by SPS and threat of termination was discriminatory" based on Mauk's age. He also claims the district took away his stipend and removed his title of director of operations.
In the lawsuit, Mauk alleges he has been monetarily damaged by the defendant's "unlawful practices" and he has also suffered physical and mental pain, anguish and distress.
The lawsuit says Mauk hopes to be compensated for the income he lost as a result of the punishment.
Mauk has been the head coach of the Falcons since 2014 after coaching in Kenton, Ohio. He is the father of former Mizzou quarterback Maty Mauk.
Since 2014, Mauk has coached the Falcons to a pair of district titles and has coached the team to the state quarterfinals twice. He was also named the Ozark Conference Coach of the Year in 2016.
Glendale opens its 2021 season on Aug. 27 at West Plains.
https://glendalefootball.weebly.com/
Mike Mauk, the head football coach at Glendale High School, wants to hit Springfield Public Schools with a penalty for unfair treatment.
Mauk, 62, filed a lawsuit against the school district Friday claiming age discrimination for the way he was punished after getting thrown out of a 2019 playoff game.
The game in question, a 64-34 state quarterfinal loss to Carthage, saw Mauk get ejected after arguing with the referees who appeared to miss a violent helmet-to-helmet hit against one of his receivers.
The coup de grâce for Mauk was confronting the referees with an iPad that had a video of the play.
In his lawsuit, Mauk claims his move with the iPad was within Missouri State High School Activities Association rules, and the school district went overboard in punishing him after the incident.
Mauk claims the school district violated its progressive discipline policy and came down hard on him while ignoring more egregious conduct from younger coaches.
"The district is not able to provide specifics regarding any pending legal action; however, we will provide a general assessment of the situation," SPS spokesperson Stephen Hall said in a statement. "Mr. Mauk’s action is without merit. It is deeply unfortunate when facts are misconstrued to seek financial gain — especially from a public entity serving children. SPS must now expend taxpayer resources, better used to benefit students, to defend itself against a frivolous lawsuit. We believe the outcome, however protracted, will ultimately validate the district’s appropriate actions related to this confidential personnel matter."
According to the lawsuit, Mauk met with SPS Athletics Director Josh Scott, Glendale Athletics Director Mitch Pycior and Glendale Principal Josh Groves on Dec. 3, 2019, following the game to "discuss sideline behavior and personal fouls."
Mauk alleges the flag thrown was the first he was given during the 2019 season and that he had received only three flags for conduct from 2014 through 2019. He also alleges the meeting with the administrators was the first discussion about his sideline behavior and that he had never received discipline or reprimand before the meeting.
Mauk alleges he was placed under an action plan and was informed that if he failed to sign it or agree to it, he would be terminated as Glendale's head coach.
The lawsuit says "the disciplinary action by SPS and threat of termination was discriminatory" based on Mauk's age. He also claims the district took away his stipend and removed his title of director of operations.
In the lawsuit, Mauk alleges he has been monetarily damaged by the defendant's "unlawful practices" and he has also suffered physical and mental pain, anguish and distress.
The lawsuit says Mauk hopes to be compensated for the income he lost as a result of the punishment.
Mauk has been the head coach of the Falcons since 2014 after coaching in Kenton, Ohio. He is the father of former Mizzou quarterback Maty Mauk.
Since 2014, Mauk has coached the Falcons to a pair of district titles and has coached the team to the state quarterfinals twice. He was also named the Ozark Conference Coach of the Year in 2016.
Glendale opens its 2021 season on Aug. 27 at West Plains.
https://glendalefootball.weebly.com/
