Texas
The Silverton Independent School District learned a lesson from FFRF after the state/church watchdog warned them not to allow prayer to open state-funded school football games.
FFRF learned of a prayer over loudspeakers before every SHS home football game, such as at the Oct. 24, 2024, game, where a long Christian prayer was recited prior to the game. Additionally, that occurred on senior night, where graduating seniors of the football team were celebrated.
“Prayer over loudspeakers at student athletic events coerces student athletes and all others in attendance into observing and participating in a religious exercise,” FFRF Patrick O’Reiley Legal Fellow Hirsh M. Joshi wrote to the district. “That coercion is at the heart of the Establishment Clause.”
FFRF heard back from the district in the form of a letter from Fred A. Stormer, an attorney with the Underwood Law Firm. “Please be advised that there have been no further prayers delivered over the public address system at an SHS football game since the district received your letter,” Stormer wrote. “The district has instructed the individual providing announcements during football games that such a prayer is not permitted and the district will inform anyone else announcing other school sporting events to likewise refrain from reciting a prayer, Christian or otherwise.”
