Former student files suit against GMC prep school, alleging injuries from 'bullring'

Two years ago, Rose O'Donnell was a junior at Georgia Military College's prep school in Millegeville.

Students issued demerits for violating school rules are subject to one hour of "retraining," commonly referred to at the school as "bullring."

School policy dictates that bullring hours are to include marching or some kind of work around campus under an instructor's supervision, but O'Donnell contends that she was forced to complete "excessive" physical exercises that led to hospitalization, according to a lawsuit she filed against the school last month.

The suit initially was filed in Baldwin County Superior Court, but it was moved to U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia earlier this month due to allegations that the now 18-year-old's civil rights were violated, said her attorney, Kathy McArthur.

The suit names the board of trustees for both Georgia Military College and its prep school as defendants, along with the college's president, the prep school principal and three instructors.

The Georgia Attorney General's Office filed a response to the suit Oct. 7 on behalf of the defendants, denying any wrongdoing or negligent conduct.

A representative of the office declined comment.

In her suit, O'Donnell alleges that instructors Larry Martin and Chris Swars demanded that she perform two timed quarter-mile runs, about 60 push-ups, lunges and other exercises within an hour time limit.

She contends she was told she'd have to complete the entire hour of exercises again if she didn't finish.

While doing push-ups, O'Donnell told Martin and Swars that she was physically unable to finish them, but she was told to finish in "male" form, according to the suit.

Fearing adverse consequences, she finished.

The response filed in court on the school's behalf noted that O'Donnell was assigned a timed run, lunges, 30 push-ups and other exercises, but it says she was told to stop if she became sick, hurt or otherwise couldn't complete the regimen.

McArthur said O'Donnell was hospitalized for about two weeks after performing the exercises and faces the potential for ongoing muscle problems and permanent muscle damage.

She sustained a physical breakdown of muscle, debilitating muscle fatigue, physical exhaustion and excruciating muscle pain, according to the suit.

"There was clearly an abuse of authority over her," McArthur said. "They went overboard in their disciplining."

A school representative confirmed last week that Martin and Swars no longer are instructors at the school.

Martin's employment ended June 2, 2014, and Swars left Sept. 14, 2015. The school representative declined to provide details of the men's departures.

O'Donnell is seeking compensation for her injuries, damages and suffering.

To contact writer Amy Leigh Womack, call 744-4398 or find her on Twitter@awomackmacon.

This story was originally published October 18, 2015 at 10:38 PM with the headline "Former student files suit against GMC prep school, alleging injuries from 'bullring' ."