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Sohacki v. Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois12/6/2000
FOR PUBLICATION
OPINION - FOR PUBLICATION
Appellant-defendant Donald R. Sohacki appeals the trial court's dismissal of his cause of action against appellee-defendant Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois (AHAI). Specifically, Sohacki asserts that the trial court improperly dismissed his complaint for lack of personal jurisdiction over AHAI.
FACTS
Sohacki coached in the Northern Illiana High School Hockey League (NIHSHL) which maintains its headquarters in Illinois . That organization, which is sanctioned by AHAI, is comprised of several amateur ice hockey teams. AHAI does not register Indiana teams or leagues and does not sponsor or sanction any games, tournaments or other events in this state. Moreover, AHAI neither maintains an office in Indiana nor owns any property in Indiana. Some teams who elect to play in the NIHSHL are headquartered in Indiana and a number of the league games are also played in Indiana.
Sohacki volunteered to become involved in the St. Jude's Hockey Club (St. Jude's) which is headquartered in the southeast suburbs of Chicago . He eventually became the president, director and coach of that club. On May 20, 1995, AHAI's Rules and Ethics Committee conducted an investigation and hearing in Illinois , in response to complaints regarding Sohacki's conduct while a member of St. Jude's. Sohacki admitted to some of the violations and acknowledged that he had a problem with alcohol. Four days later, the Committee decided to suspend Sohacki from participating in any official capacity at St. Jude's and AHAI hockey for a two-year period. As the basis for the decision, it was determined that Sohacki had used alcohol and vulgar language in the presence of some of the young hockey players, purposely tripped an amateur player and yelled at him when he fell and threatened to keep a player from participating in the league for personal reasons relating to the player's parents. As a result of these findings, Sohacki resigned from St. Jude's, and AHAI's Rules and Ethics Committee proceeded to inform Sohacki that he had the right to appeal the decision. Sohacki failed to appeal the May 1995 decision to suspend him.
During the suspension period, Sohacki was prohibited from attending AHAI hockey events after or while consuming alcoholic beverages. The Committee further determined that, because of the nature of the allegations, Sohacki was required to personally appear before it following the two-year suspension to determine whether he should be reinstated to a position that dealt directly with the players.
In June 1998, Sohacki contacted AHAI personnel and inquired about reinstatement. In response, the AHAI Rules and Ethics Committee informed Sohacki that he should make a written request and appear in Illinois before the Rules and Ethics Committee as was required by the May 24, 1995 decision that he did not appeal. Record at 20-21. After AHAI notified Sohacki's counsel of its reinstatement procedure, Sohacki filed a two-count complaint in the Indiana trial court alleging that AHAI failed to follow its administrative procedures by refusing to reinstate him. Specifically, Sohacki claimed that he relied on the representations of various members of AHAI who promised him automatic reinstatement after the suspension and probationary periods had expired. As a result, Sohacki sought compensatory damages, costs and reinstatement with full privileges with AHAI. He also claimed that his due process rights were violated with respect to the May 1995 suspension because AHAI had suspended him without an adequate hearing. Moreover, Sohacki asserted that he was not informed of the charges against him, allowed adequate opportunity to prepare
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