Purdue files suit to stop run organizer from using university name
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University has filed a lawsuit to stop the organizer of a mini-marathon from using the university's name to promote his October event.
The lawsuit, filed Friday (Oct. 1) in Tippecanoe Circuit Court, is against Dean Reinke and his firm, Reinke Sports Group LLC, a Florida-based race promoter. Prior to Purdue's legal action, Reinke failed to respond to two formal letters asking him to quit promoting the Oct. 24 event as "The Home of Purdue" Half Marathon. Purdue has no connection to the event.
"He continues to use our trademarked name after we've repeatedly asked him to stop," said Teri Lucie Thompson, Purdue's vice president of marketing and media. "This is causing confusion, and we continue to be concerned about the way the organizer is approaching the event. Purdue has the right and responsibility to choose with whom our name is associated, and we have chosen not to be connected in any way to this event. We've tried other methods to get Mr. Reinke not to use the university's name, and this filing is a last resort."
Thompson said there have been several attempts over a period of months to disassociate Purdue from the event, which Reinke had planned to conduct in Lafayette, West Lafayette and on Purdue's campus.
Citing misgivings, the cities and Purdue on Aug. 3 sent notice to Reinke that the half marathon could not be run on their properties as Reinke Sports Group had planned. The university also sent Reinke Sports Group letters in April and early August objecting to the use of Purdue's name.
The organizer later moved the event to Flora, Ind., but continues to advertise it as the "Home of Purdue" Half Marathon.
In its filing, Purdue asks the court to bar Reinke and his firm from using the Purdue name to publicize and promote its events. Purdue also is seeking damages and attorney fees and asks that Reinke account to the court for his firm's handling of the Oct. 24 event's proceeds. In addition, Purdue is requesting a constructive trust be established that would give the court direct supervision of the cash collected by the event organizer.
"While Purdue has made it clear that it is not associated with this run, we also have a strong interest in making sure the community's concerns are heard," Thompson said. "We have deep, ongoing concerns about this event and how it could negatively impact Purdue and the community, and that is what compelled us to seek a legal remedy."
Writer: Jim Bush, 765-494-2077, jsbush@purdue.edu
Source: Teri Lucie Thompson, 765-494-2082, tlthompson@purdue.edu
Related information:
Purdue lawsuit document