Rensing v. Indiana State University

Indiana Supreme Court

444 N.E.2d 1170 (1983)

Relevant factsFree

Fred Rensing (plaintiff), a varsity football player on a full NCAA "grant-in-aid" scholarship renewable only if he actively participated in football, was rendered quadriplegic by an injury during spring practice at Indiana State University (ISU) (defendant). After Indiana's Industrial Board denied him workers' compensation benefits, the trial court found an employer-employee relationship existed and reversed, and ISU appealed to the Indiana Supreme Court.

IssueFree

Whether an athletic scholarship provided by a university to a student-athlete gives rise to an employer-employee relationship between the two, allowing for distribution of workers' compensation benefits to the student-athlete.

Holding & reasoning

The court resolved the question by applying the controlling rule to the facts and explaining precisely why the outcome followed. Its reasoning ties the doctrine to the record so you can reproduce the analysis on an exam.

Procedural history, concurrence & dissent

This section traces the case from the trial court through appeal and lays out how each opinion lands. Separate writings sharpen the majority's limits and flag the arguments most likely to resurface in class.

Unlock the full brief

Free accounts read 20 full briefs. No card required.

Start free Log in