BY ANDY TAYLOR
chronicle@taylornews.org

A Cherryvale High School senior who graduated from the school on May 15 has filed a lawsuit against USD 447 and former CHS head football coach Chris Endress.

Logan Blake, a Cherryvale High School senior, filed the lawsuit in the 14th Judicial District Court in Coffeyville on May 10 — five days before he received his diploma. The lawsuit was filed through Blake’s attorney, Fred Spigarelli of Pittsburg, Kan.

Blake contends in his lawsuit that he sustained physical damage to his heart as a result of an early-season football practice on Aug. 13-15, 2007. The practices were held in intense heat and humidity, according to the lawsuit. Blake says physical problems arose on Aug. 19, which resulted in doctors inserting a dual chamber pacemaker because of a first-degree heart block with “profound” slowness of the heart rhythm.

Blake contends Endress, who was coach at the time, “failed to provide adequate opportunities” for Blake to rest and keep properly hydrated. Specifically, Blake asserts that Endress failed to abide by the Kansas State High School Activities Association policies and procedures applicable to practicing sports in high heat and humidity situations.

The lawsuit petition claims Endress acted “with gross and wanton negligence and that his actions constituted a realization of the imminence of danger and a reckless disregard or complete indifference to the problems and consequences of his actions.”

Blake is seeking judgement in excess of $75,000 plus other damages due to “medical treatment, medical expenses, future medical expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish, permanent disability, loss of future earnings, and other and future damages, and will continue to sustain these damages in the future.” Blake also asks the court to schedule a jury trial in the matter.

As of Tuesday, USD 447 and Endress had not yet filed a formal response to the allegations spelled out in Blake’s lawsuit.