Ill. High School Ends Coach-Led Prayer After Atheists Complain

A school district in Illinois has reportedly banned prayers at local high school sporting events following a complaint from the Freedom From Religion Foundation.

Dan Bridges, superintendent of Naperville Community Unit School District, recently announced that prayer at athletic events for Naperville Central High School and Naperville North High School will be banned following complaints from the Freedom From Religion Foundation.

"Naperville Community Unit School District 203 is aware that a coach-led prayer is not appropriate," Bridges said in a recent statement to the Chicago Tribune. "The head football coach has been instructed that neither he nor his staff may lead his players in prayer. This message has been communicated to the athletic directors at both high schools to ensure that this expectation is shared with coaches of all sports at all levels."

"Naperville 203 represents a diverse community that holds diverse beliefs and values," Bridges continued. "We recognize that in our roles as school leaders we respect those diverse beliefs and avoid putting students in situations that may conflict with their personal beliefs."

The Freedom From Religion Foundation had issued a statement condemning the school district for allegedly allowing coach-led prayer to take place, especially at the high school football games.

Daniel Bumpus, a member of the Redhawks Football team, issued a statement on behalf of the football team defending the school's football coach, Mike Stine. 

"We, as a football team and a family, give Coach Stine our full support. He is the best coach in the state and cares about each and every one of us more than any other coach cares about his players. We are proud that he is willing to stand up for his faith and for the example he sets for us," Bumpus said.