Florida —
FFRF reminded the Taylor County School District in Perry, Fla., that Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) clubs cannot be led by school staff members or the community’s religious leaders.
FFRF learned that Taylor County Middle School and Taylor County High School had a years-long pattern and practice of giving adult FCA representatives and local religious leaders inappropriate access to student-athletes as part of official athletics activities. Both the middle school and the high school appeared to have entangled their football programs with religion, specifically Christianity, in efforts to promote Christianity to students and possibly convert them.
FFRF learned of a meal on July 24, 2024, to the middle school team provided by Cavalry Baptist Church, along with an advertisement for services at the church being featured prominently on the meal boxes. Additionally, on July 30, 2024, Faith Baptist Church of Perry posted on Facebook that “Pastor Todd and Bro Josh” had been with what appeared to be the TCHS football team throughout the summer, and that “Pastor Todd gave them a good word on salvation, and encouraged them to find a good church, get locked in, be faithful, and serve God in and off the Field.” In the same post, a person could be seen leading the students in a public prayer in the team’s own locker room. Additionally, the post acknowledges the team’s coach “wanting the day to be closed out in prayer.”
“Students know that their coaches control their playing time and positions, directly affecting students’ opportunities for college scholarships and recruitment,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote to the district. “When coaches permit outside adults like FCA reps and pastors to promote religion to players, student-athletes will no doubt feel that agreeing with the religious viewpoints being promoted and participating in religious activities is essential to pleasing their coach and being viewed as a team player.”
After receiving FFRF’s letter, the district’s attorney, Angela M. Ball, reached out to FFRF to let it know that the district had taken action to affirm student-athletes’ right to be free from religious coercion. “In speaking with Superintendent Wentworth and discussing this matter with the school board, Mr. Wentworth has assured the board members that any religious activity which occurs on school property or in the district functions will be entirely student-led and voluntary,” Ball wrote.
