Former JCPS wrestling coach sued, accused of forcefully cutting student’s hair
A former wrestling coach at Thomas Jefferson Middle School in Jefferson City is being sued for a November 2017 incident. He’s accused of ordering a student to be held down and then forcefully cutting the student’s hair.
A 13-page petition filed Friday alleges that Andrew Whelan demanded a middle school student, who was a member of the wrestling team, cut his hair before competing in a match.
The document said the student asked if he could simply forfeit the match, but that Whelan refused, ordered the team to hold the student down and forcefully cut the student’s hair.
“As a direct and proximate result of the above-described acts and omissions, Plaintiff suffered and continues to suffer great pain of mind and body, shock, emotional distress, physical manifestations of emotional distress, embarrassment, loss of self-esteem, disgrace, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life; and has incurred and will continue to incur expenses for medical and psychological treatment, therapy, and counseling,” the petition said.
The allegations listed in the document include assault and/or battery; false imprisonment; bullying and harassment; negligent supervision and/or hiring; negligent failure to supervise children; negligent infliction of emotional distress; intentional infliction of emotional distress; and violation of Missouri Human Rights Act.
A JCPS spokesperson released the following statement Tuesday:
The way this student was treated is wholly incompatible with district expectations for staff conduct. We have not, and will not, tolerate this type of unacceptable behavior from anyone on our staff.
The district has no policy that would require the cutting of a male or female wrestler’s hair, and as soon as the district became aware of this incident we investigated and took appropriate action.
Alexander Whelan is no longer employed with the district, and has not been employed with the district since December 2017.
The student’s attorney demanded a jury trial.
ABC 17 News will continue to follow this case.
