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A jury awarded Jennifer Besler, a former WW-P basketball and soccer player, $1.47 million in compensatory damages March 24 after she claimed verbal abuse from her coach, Daniel Hussong, caused her emotional distress.
In the opinion of Sapp-Peterson, Besler, 25, did not suffer permanent injury from Hussong’s demands.
Thomas Lewis, a trial attorney at the Princeton-based law firm Stark & Stark, said the jury’s decision sent a bad message to parents who have their children involved in area sports.
"If I were a plaintiff I would not be counting my money," Lewis told The Trentonian last month.
Yesterday, Lewis said he wasn’t surprised at Sapp-Peterson’s reversal but added the repercussions of the court case have already had an impact on coaches.
"Frankly, speaking to other attorneys, I think the majority of us felt the jury was going to award her zero and that’s not because we didn’t feel any sympathy," Lewis said.
"This is not the norm at all, but it tells me the verdict was so far off the radar screen the court had to step in to do it justice," Lewis continued. "I thought that eventually the court or the appellate court would step in and bring this case back to earth. But we are at the sixth inning of a nine-inning game. It’s just a little more than halfway over."
Regardless of the final legal outcome, area coaches are watching their backs.
"You’re coaching the same way, but you have to be aware of (the case)," McGinley said. "You have to find the balance and make sure you still challenge your athletes. But there are limits. You have to figure out the best way to motivate your kids."
Nottingham High School girls basketball coach Mike Kelliher feels the case is characteristic of today’s society.
"No matter what happens in the courtroom, you’re still dealing with the kids of today," said Kelliher. "I’ve seen a change in the kids today with the media, newspapers, magazines and everything going on in the news," he said.
"Everything is more out in the open. Parents just don’t trust anyone."
