Former American Heritage Basketball Coach files discrimination complaint over BLM support

DELRAY BEACH, Fla — A local basketball coach is taking center stage in a legal battle, fighting his firing after letting his players support a movement at a private school in Delray Beach.

Rodman Employment Law, a firm committed to defending the civil and human rights of individuals in the workplace, announced Monday the filing of a discrimination complaint with the Florida Commission on Human Relations on behalf of former American Heritage High School Women’s Head Basketball Coach, Brett Studley.

"In this instance, I felt someone under my care needed support," Brett Studley told CBS12 News Monday evening.

Studley argues he was fired on the last day of school back in June for allowing a few teammates to wear Black Lives Matter t-shirts during warmups before a game. Their activism sparked after an issue unfolded during one of the student's online classes.

"They were playing a trivia game. Someone posted a bunch of different screen names and one of them was a racial slur," Studley said. "We just wanted the school to acknowledge what took place.”

He further explained how the school then cancelled two significant games of the season, citing COVID concerns. The coach was let go on the last day of school.

"Their reason was, they gave me, was making false statements and lying to the media. They never gave me a lie that I actually said," Studley said.

While the school's dress code prohibits political statements to prevent discord or bullying, Studley's lawyers felt an official investigation is a must after the school failed to address alleged discrimination among its students.

"We believe the school has repeatedly failed act in the best interests of its students and perhaps in violation of the law, and it’s important that be ratified," said Elisa Filman, Employment Lawyer with Rodman Employment Law. "We need to encourage students and teachers who are standing up for what’s right."

Former American Heritage players' parents have supported his position and publicly denounced his firing on social media.

“It takes a lot of courage for a successful coach to put his neck on the line to stand up for students of color in a private school setting in Florida, especially in today’s climate, and make them feel supported. Brett did the best he could to support his players while at the same time adhering to his employer policies. He did what was right,” said Monge Codio, father of former American Heritage star basketball player Jordana Codio, according to a press release shared Monday.

An attorney representing American Heritage has not responded to our requests for comment.