Jem Sirrine, the former head athletic trainer at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida, surrendered his license to work as an athletic trainer in the State of Florida on October 6, 2021 as part of a disciplinary proceeding before the Board of Athletic Training. A Final Order of discipline was entered against Jem Sirrine following an allegation that Sirrine engaged in sexual misconduct when he was working with one of the female volleyball players at Southeastern University.
According to the Order, on November 9, 2020, a 23-year-old female sustained an injury to her left quad muscle while playing volleyball at the university. Jem Sirrine, athletic trainer at the time, took the student to the training room and placed heat on her injury. Sirrine then insisted that the injured student undergo Neuromuscular Electronic Stimulation (STIM) treatment for her leg. The student alleges that they entered the training room, and Sirrine instructed her to get on the bed with her feet facing the wall and her head facing the door. She claims that Sirrine stuck his hand inside her spandex and moved the spandex and her underwear to the side, exposing her vagina. Sirrine allegedly placed the STIM pad nowhere close to the injury site and then claimed the machine wasn’t working. Sirrine then removed the STIM pad and exposed the student’s vagina for the second time. When the student attempted to exit the room, Sirrine was sitting in a “provocative” manner, possibly aroused. The injured student informed the coach of the volleyball team and a representative from Human Resources about the incident that had just occurred. After reporting the allegations to authorities, the student was informed that another similar incident involving Sirrine and another female athlete had been previously reported. The student then immediately reported the incident to Lakeland Police Department for criminal investigation.
Pursuant to the disciplinary Order, Sirrine agreed to cease working as an athletic trainer immediately and not re-apply for an Athletic Trainer license in Florida. Jem Sirrine, age 45, had been a licensed athletic trainer in Florida since 2000. Sirrine recently re-located to Tennessee according to public records.
The disciplinary order continues a long and disturbing trend of sexual misconduct by athletic trainers and coaches at universities throughout the country. Under Florida law, athletic trainers occupy positions of trust, and all sexual activity between the trainer and client is strictly prohibited. An athletic trainer may not use his relationship with a patient to induce or attempt to induce the patient to engage or to engage or attempt to engage tan athlete in sexual activity outside the scope of practice or the scope of generally accepted examination or treatment of the patient.
Horowitz Law has handled numerous sexual misconduct claims on behalf of students and athletes. If you have been a victim of sexual misconduct by Jem Sirrine or have any knowledge about such events at Southeastern University, please contact our law firm at 888-283-9922 or e-mail sexual abuse lawyer Adam Horowitz today.