A deaf high school wrestler is suing the Michigan High School Athletic Association for the right to have a sign language interpreter alongside the mat during tournaments.
Ellis Kempf is the captain of the Royal Oak High School wrestling squad. His lawsuit says he relied on a sign language interpreter during inter-scholastic meets to convey referee whistles and his coach’s instructions. But the MHSAA barred the interpreter from the ringside during regional tournaments.
Jason Turkish is Ellis Kempf’s attorney. He says his client needs an interpreter by the mat “so that he can compete on a level playing field. So that he is being judged on his ability to be wrestler, not his inability to hear. All Ellis is looking for in this lawsuit is a fair fight," Turkish says.
An Athletic Association spokesman would not comment specifically on the lawsuit, but says it does allow interpreters to stand with the coaches during meets. Turkish says that often puts the interpreter out of the wrestler’s line of vision.
