Lake Local Schools has directed its coaches not to lead student-athletes in prayer after the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) raised constitutional concerns with the district.
Superintendent Brett Yeagley said the district reviewed its practices and confirmed that while students and staff may pray voluntarily and independently, district employees may not organize or require prayer during school-sponsored activities. Administrators met with all head coaches on Sept. 12 to reinforce the policy.
The Madison, Wisconsin-based FFRF, which advocates for separation of church and state, said it was contacted by a district parent who reported that a Lake Middle High School cross-country coach had been leading the team in prayer before meets. The coach reportedly told athletes, “let’s continue to pray before every meet like last year,” according to the foundation.
In its Sept. 4 letter to Yeagley, the group said the practice placed students in a difficult position. The parent told the foundation their child “felt helpless, awkward, and embarrassed that the child was forced to either pray against their own beliefs or risk ostracizing themselves from the team by stepping away from the illegal prayer.”
The FFRF argued that coach-led prayer “sends an accompanying message to adherents that they are insiders, favored members of the political community,” while nonadherents “are outsiders.” The organization cited Supreme Court rulings, including Engel v. Vitale (1962) and Lee v. Weisman (1992), that have struck down school-sponsored prayer.
“Student athletes are especially susceptible to coercion,” the letter stated, adding that players may feel pressured to participate in prayer to maintain good standing with coaches and teammates.
Yeagley said the district respects the rights of students and staff who wish to pray on their own, while also protecting those who choose not to participate. “No district employees will lead student athletes in prayer,” the district said in a statement.
