Twelve families have filed a lawsuit against Texas Leadership Charter Academy in San Angelo after as many as 20 students were hospitalized in late February, some with rhabdomyolysis.
As reported by Doug Samuels of Football Scoop, the lawsuit was filed last week in the 193rd Judicial District Court of Dallas County. It alleges a "pattern of systemic abuse" following a series of events spanning multiple days in February during a so-called "athletic period." Students were allegedly forced to continue strenuous physical activities without water or rest, despite visible signs of distress. The discipline led to serious medical complications for nearly a quarter of the 80-person class which included rhabdomyolysis — a life-threatening condition that involves the rapid breakdown of muscle tissue that can lead to kidney failure and death, with a mortality rate of 30% to 50%.
Well before the lawsuit as filed last Friday, the episode cost the academy's athletic director and head coach their jobs while a few other coaches remain in non-coaching roles but under intense scrutiny, Samuels reported.
According to the Waco-based law firm Cherry Johnson Siegmund James, events from which the lawsuit stems began on or about Feb. 25, 2026, when coaches directed approximately 50 student athletes to perform continuous push-ups as punishment for a jersey mix-up — an error caused by the coaches themselves. Students were forced to continue for over an hour without water or rest while gymnasium doors remained closed.
"The complaint states that at least five adult coaches and one administrator were present during the punishment," the firm stated. "When children collapsed, coaches allegedly ordered them to continue. When children cried out in pain, coaches allegedly mocked them. The abuse continued over three consecutive days, even as students returned with worsening symptoms, including the inability to lift their arms or perform basic tasks."
“What happened here reflects a profound failure to protect student safety. It’s not discipline — it’s abuse,” said Ryan C. Johnson of Cherry Johnson Siegmund James. “According to the allegations, these students were pushed to the point of serious, life-threatening injury while the adults responsible for their safety stood by and did nothing. This went on for days, despite clear and escalating signs that these children were in distress. Schools are entrusted to protect students, not break them. This lawsuit is about holding every responsible party accountable and making sure this never happens to another child.”
The lawsuit seeks compensatory damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and emotional distress suffered by the students and their families. It also seeks punitive damages to hold the defendants accountable for the alleged conduct and to deter similar actions in the future, according to the firm.
