The parents of a former junior high school basketball player filed a federal lawsuit against Greensburg Community Schools, some board members, coaches and the superintendent that argues the haircut policy violated their son's right to wear his hair however he wants.

The lawsuit claims that coaches told the teen that if he didn't get his hair cut by a specific date, he wouldn't be allowed to play. It also claims that the boy was told he'd be kicked off the team after his parents protested the policy during subsequent meetings with school officials.

The policy requires that hair be above a player's eyebrows, collars and ears.

Superintendent Tom Hunter told 6News' Rick Hightower, "I'm not really going to comment on it. It's a legal issue, and we're not going to comment on legal issues."

The district's attorney, Tuck Hopkins, said the school believes it's a privilege, not a right, to play on a school basketball team and that case law supports them.

"In Indiana, everybody is entitled to an education, and that's a right," Hopkins said. "Playing extracurricular activities, we believe the law is it's a privilege, and that's the distinction."

Hopkins declined to further discuss the case.

"That's all going to be coming out in the case itself, and the coach will explain his position on it," he said.

Hopkins said several districts in Indiana have dress and grooming standards for athletic programs, including restrictions on how hair can be worn.

The boy's father, Patrick Hayden, initially agreed to speak to 6News about the case, but no one answered the door at the appointed time and phone calls weren't returned.

The boy's parents want the policy to be declared unconstitutional and seek unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, along with attorney fees.

Residents weighed in on the issue Monday night, most agreeing with the boy's parents.

"I just think he should be stipulated to tie his hair up or something like that," said Anthony Johnson. "To cut it off, I think that's taking away a person's mind, body and soul sometimes."

"I think they should be able to wear their hair the way they want to on a basketball team or anywhere else," said resident Aleigh Class.

"It's discrimination, plain and simple," said resident Jesse Summers. "I hope they get what they are after."

More Information: Full Lawsuit