IHSAA vs. ANGEL GARCIA
Nov 14, 2007OUTCOME: The trial court properly denied the IHSAA’s motion to transfer venue to Marion County. We affirm.
The IHSAA appeals the trial court’s denial of its motion to transfer venue from Lake County to Marion County. In August 2006, Angel Garcia, an eighteen-year-old high school junior, transferred from ... Lake Forest Academy (“Lake Forest”) to East Chicago Central High School (“East Chicago”). While a student at Lake Forest, Garcia played varsity basketball. When Garcia transferred to East Chicago, the IHSAA conducted an investigation and granted Garcia only “limited eligibility for a period of 365 days from the date of his enrollment at [East Chicago].” App. p. 49. On December 29, 2006, Garcia filed a complaint against the IHSAA in Lake County. Garcia sought a temporary restraining order, a preliminary injunction, a permanent injunction, and a declaratory judgment allowing him to fully participate in varsity athletics at East Chicago. That same day, the trial court issued a temporary restraining order. On January 25, 2007, the trial court issued a temporary injunction against the IHSAA. On January 31, 2007, the IHSAA filed its answer and counterclaim and its motion to transfer to a county of preferred venue, specifically Marion County. Garcia objected to 2 the motion to transfer, and the IHSAA replied to Garcia’s objection. On March 9, 2007, the trial court heard arguments on the motion to transfer. The trial court then denied the IHSAA’s motion. The IHSAA then appealed.
