The attorney representing over 400 youth basketball players sexually exploited by their coach says the Iowa Barnstormers Basketball organization and the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) failed to protect the young athletes. Last month, former Iowa Barnstormers basketball coach Greg Stephen pleaded guilty to secretly filming or soliciting nude images from about 400 boys over 12 years. Attorney Guy Cook says he wants this to be a wake-up call for youth sports organizations.
Cook says the class action lawsuit filed in Johnson County District Court could result in damages exceeding $10 million. Cook said there are steps youth sports groups can take to prevent abuse, but these organizations didn’t enforce any of those guidelines. For example, the A-A-U handbook states coaches shall not share a hotel room with athletes.
Cook is calling on other victims to join the lawsuit to help prevent future abuse in youth sports. Greg Stephen, Barnstormers Basketball of Iowa, and the AAU are named in the lawsuit, but more defendants may be added.
