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Illinois football coaches cease praying with players (January 19, 2018)

Where: East Alton-Wood River High School in Wood River.

Violation: Football coaches were regularly participating in prayers with their students. A Facebook post from this past September pictured several coaches praying during a football game with players from both East Alton-Wood River and Dupo high schools with the caption, “E. Alton Woodriver asked our boys (Dupo) to pray with them after the game.”

Outcome: Superintendent John Pearson responded on Jan. 19, informing FFRF that the coaching staff would be told that participating in prayer with players is a constitutional violation.

FFRF attorney who handled the case: Staff Attorney Ryan D. Jayne.