Referee sues West St. Mary coaches, school board

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Referee sues West St. Mary coaches, school board
Posted: Nov 26, 2013 11:35 AM by Ian Auzenne (Photo Courtesy: MGN Online)
Updated: Nov 26, 2013 11:38 AM


The high school football referee who was allegedly assaulted after a game by two West St. Mary football players is suing two of the school's coaches and the St. Mary Parish School Board.

Head coach Marquis Newsome and assistant coach Kenneth Bashay are named in the lawsuit, filed Monday in the 16th Judicial District Court.

According to the suit, the referee, Steve Leger, ejected Bashay after he "became enraged and began to curse, scream, and verbally abuse" Leger. Newsome then allegedly told Leger he did not know Bashay's name and "refused to direct Bashay to leave the field." The suit adds that the actions of Bashay and Newsome "continued to inflame the West St. Mary High School football players."

The filing continues by stating that Bashay and Newsome "made no effort whatsoever to restrain the West St. Mary High School football players or prevent the members of the football team from assaulting and battering [Leger] and in refusing to do so encouraged and approved the assault." The lawsuit also accuses the school of "[f]ailing to provide adequate security to prevent an assault and battery upon [Leger] and the other officials."

The two players who allegedly punched Leger were arrested November 12 and charged with battery of a school or recreational athletic official. Those players are identified in the lawsuit. Because they are minors, KATC is withholding their identities.

KATC reached out to district superintendent Donald Aguillard. He says he has not yet seen the lawsuit. KATC also called listed phone numbers for both Bashay and Newsome, but no one answered.

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