Texas
After hearing from FFRF, the Wellborn Middle School in College Station, Texas, has reined in a coach continually using Christian messaging in his official communications.
A WMS parent informed FFRF that the WMS’s boys’ athletic coordinator ends mass emails sent to parents in his official capacity with a New Testament quote in bold font: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…’ — Romans 1:16.” The coordinator also serves as the sponsor for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, head football coach and physical education teacher.
“When their school’s athletic program continuously praises the Christian god via email, student athletes will believe matching that open praise is essential to pleasing their team’s coach,” FFRF Patrick O’Reiley Legal Fellow Hirsh M. Joshi wrote to Superintendent Tim Harkrider.
Austin Dunson, College Station Independent School District’s director of communications, reached out to FFRF. “We have recently provided district leaders with guidelines to follow and communicate to their staff regarding our updated brand,” Dunson wrote. “This includes all staff adhering to a consistent email signature that only includes their name, title, campus/department and contact information.”
