SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – A judge has ruled that high school football stand-out Kylan Mabins may return to the field.
According to court documents, Greene County Judge Derek Ankrom ruled that Mabins is eligible to play and that he also paid his $1,000 bond.
Mabins transferred from Kickapoo High School to Glendale High School this summer. Mabins said in court that he switched schools because of a report of racial discrimination. MSHSAA ruled him ineligible to play because it says he transferred schools for athletic reasons. Mabins’ attorney, Jay Kirksey, says that’s not true.
“Kickapoo and MSHSAA, they acted in concert with each other based on fraud, malice, and collusion. This court found that athletic leaders engaged in mistreatment that hurt the very athletes they’re supposed to protect,” said Kirksey.
In August, a Greene County judge heard arguments for and against a temporary restraining order allowing Mabins to play while a complete investigation is being conducted. Kirksey says evidence will prove that the student wasn’t recruited to play at a rival high school.
Glendale’s head football coach, Mike Mauk, left the position before the season started.
According to Kirksey, the judge’s order means that Mabins can suit up and be on the field, it is up to the coaching staff at the game to decide if he plays or not.
Springfield Public Schools shared this statement with KY3,
“Springfield Public Schools respectfully disagrees with the court’s decision today, and we anticipate that it will be appealed. The district continues to deny the allegations of inappropriate conduct contained in the plaintiff’s petition and remains confident that our staff have, at all times, acted appropriately, lawfully, and consistent with the athletic processes required by Board of Education policies and the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA). Those processes and policies are designed to ensure that all students are treated fairly. Finally, the district is troubled by the future implications of the decision, which in our opinion, will have a negative impact on the ability of schools and MSHSAA to enforce the policies that govern high school athletics and activities statewide.”
