Football coaches at Cape Henlopen High School in Lewes, Del., will no longer lead their players in prayer or participate in students’ prayers, after receiving a letter from the Freedom From Religion Foundation.
FFRF Staff Attorney Elizabeth Cavell wrote to the Cape Henlopen School District on Oct. 8, after receiving a report that the high school football coaches participated in their students’ prayers, as well as a photograph of the head coach participating in his team’s prayer circle. “While students may wish to engage in prayer on their own, school staff, including coaches cannot participate in or encourage such religious activities,” Cavell informed the district.
In an Oct. 17 response, Superintendent Robert S. Fulton told FFRF he had discussed the matter with the administration and football coach, and “employees, including coaches, will be reminded of laws involving the Separation of Church and State.”