MONROE, Mich. — A 16-year-old Monroe High School volleyball player and her father have filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Monroe Public Schools, the Michigan High School Athletic Association and two district administrators over allegations involving a transgender athlete who competed in a girls’ volleyball match.
The Thomas More Law Center, an Ann Arbor-based nonprofit law firm, announced that it filed the lawsuit Friday, Oct. 9, on behalf of sophomore Briley Lechner and her father, Sean Lechner.
The lawsuit alleges that school officials knowingly withheld information from players and parents about a transgender girl participating on the opposing team during a Sept. 9, 2025, volleyball match between Monroe High School and Ann Arbor Skyline High School.
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According to the law center, Lechner has played on Monroe High School’s varsity girls’ volleyball team since her freshman year.
Lawsuit alleges school officials withheld information
The complaint alleges that Monroe Athletic Director Chet Hesson and members of the school’s coaching staff knew before the match that a transgender girl would be competing for Skyline but did not notify Monroe players or their parents.
The lawsuit also alleges that the opposing player was permitted to use locker room facilities designated for Monroe’s female athletes without the Monroe players being informed.
The allegations have not been established as fact in court.
The lawsuit names Monroe Public Schools, the Michigan High School Athletic Association, the district superintendent and athletic director as defendants.
The plaintiffs argue that the district’s actions violated Title IX, the federal law prohibiting sex discrimination in federally funded education programs, and the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.
“This lawsuit is about much more than a single volleyball game,” said Richard Thompson, president and chief counsel of the Thomas More Law Center.
Thompson said the case raises questions about whether school officials violated the rights of female athletes and failed to provide accountability under federal law.
District rejected discrimination complaint
According to the lawsuit, Lechner and her father filed a formal Title IX discrimination complaint with the district following the volleyball match.
The complaint was ultimately determined to be “unsubstantiated,” according to the law center.
The plaintiffs allege that the district’s investigation lacked transparency and that information, including witness identities and statements, was withheld from them.
They argue that the lack of access to those materials prevented them from meaningfully challenging the district’s findings.
The lawsuit also questions how the Monroe Public Schools Board of Education handled the family’s appeal.
According to the complaint, the school board discussed the appeal in closed session but did not publicly vote on its merits.
The plaintiffs allege that the district subsequently treated the superintendent’s determination as affirmed, despite the absence of a vote.
“The Board of Education was supposed to provide an independent review of the plaintiffs’ complaint,” Thompson said.
The lawsuit challenges both the district’s handling of the original discrimination complaint and the procedures used during the appeal.
Student says lawsuit is about fairness and safety
Lechner said her decision to pursue the case is intended to protect opportunities for girls participating in school athletics.
“My goal is to preserve opportunities and safety for female athletes, ensuring that sports remain a space where girls can compete fairly, achieve their potential, and feel safe,” she said in a statement released by the Thomas More Law Center.
Her father also defended the decision to pursue legal action.
“Our daughters should never have to stand alone while the adults entrusted to protect them stay silent. As a father, I will not remain silent,” Sean Lechner said.
The law center said Lechner has received public support from Riley Gaines, a former collegiate swimmer who has advocated against transgender women competing in women’s sports, and Kim Jones, co-founder of the Independent Council on Women’s Sports.
U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg also presented Lechner with a “Courageous Voice Award,” according to the organization.
District response pending
The allegations outlined in the lawsuit represent the plaintiffs’ account of the events and have not been proven in court.
This reporter contacted Monroe Public Schools seeking comment on the lawsuit and the allegations against district officials. The district had not responded as of publication.
The lawsuit adds to the ongoing national debate over transgender participation in school athletics and how federal sex discrimination protections apply to student athletes.
The Thomas More Law Center is representing the Lechner family in the federal case.
I am with father and daughter on this one. I am hoping they win. Those born male have a different muscular make up than women. No amount of hormones can change that. It is still male in women's sports and it is wrong.
Outstanding! Kudos to this young lady and her father for sticking up for women’s rights.
Shame on the MHSAA for playing political games and not doing the right thing for women. Mark Uyl is a class guy and the MHSAA is a class organization: but they’ve clearly screwed this one up beyond belief.
The school district needs to be held accountable for this abuse of young women.