Hare; Wynn’s Lexington Office, Files Lawsuit Against The University of the Cumberlands for Role in Death of Grant Brace

Hare; Wynn’s Lexington Office, Files Lawsuit Against

The University of the Cumberlands for Role in Death of Grant Brace

Hare; Wynn in Lexington, Kentucky, announced this morning that they have filed a complaint against the University of the Cumberlands; The Cumberland Foundation, Inc.; Cumberland Athletics Properties, Inc.; University President Dr. Larry Cockrum; Athletic Director Chris Kraftick; and coaches Jordan Countryman and Jake Sinkovics in the wrongful death of Grant Brace, a 20-year-old college wrestler. Brace died during or directly after wrestling practice on August 31, 2020.

Grant Brace died after the events of a grueling wrestling practice in August of 2020. After completing a full wrestling practice, Grant, along with the rest of the team, was required to perform “Punishment Hill” sprints. Grant became profoundly disoriented during and after this grueling practice, but no medical aid was provided. After returning to the wrestling room, Brace was ordered by coaches to “get out.” Brace left the building in search of water and was later found dead outside of a construction fence on campus. The lawsuit alleges that the defendants were negligent in causing Brace to suffer heat stroke and refusing to provide him with assistance and aid that could have saved his life.

Grant Brace was an exceptional student-athlete. He attended Alcoa High School, where he had a 128-33 wrestling record and was a three-time state champion in football, as well as a member of the National Honors Society. Brace suffered from narcolepsy and ADHD, and his high school made accommodations for his conditions in both academics and sports. Brace was promised similar accommodations would be made on the wrestling team at the University of the Cumberlands. Those accommodations were often ignored or the cause of Brace being singled out by the coaching staff.

The lawsuit details that Countryman, who became the head coach in 2018, and Sinkovics, who was promoted to assistant coach in 2019, created an atmosphere of fear and intimidation in the wrestling program through emotional manipulation, emotional abuse, and physical abuse. Besides Brace’s death, their behaviors resulted in injury to other student athletes.

University officials have failed to acknowledge their culpability in Brace’s death. Despite the unresponsiveness of the defendants and their attorneys, Hare Wynn is moving forward with legal action. Tyler Stewart, an attorney at Hare Wynn said, “We are honored to represent the Brace family as they seek justice for the loss of their incredible son and brother. No parent or sibling should have to endure what they have experienced this last year.”