Transcript: A football program in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania is being forced to change one of its pregame traditions going back more than three decades.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation based in Wisconsin recently complained to the Dunmore school district because long-time coach Jack Henzes was leading his team in a pregame prayer. Eyewitness reporter Eric Deabill is live at Dunmore High School with more for us tonight and some reaction.
Candis, good evening, this was the two page letter that was sent here to the Dunmore school district back in June. Now the district’s new superintendent recently found this letter and realized what was being done is improper in a public-school setting. But that certainly hasn’t stopped the backlash here in Bucktown.
When you think of tight-nit football programs, the Dunmore Bucks come to mind. For years, coach Jack Henzas has led his team in prayer before games. Sam Malia was on the 1985 team that won the eastern conference championship.
“It just meant that we all came together as one unit, as one family.”
After being contacted by a concerned citizen, the Freedom From Religion Foundation sent the district a complain letter. Part of it read, “When a public school employee acting in an official capacity organizes, leads or participates in team prayer, he effectively endorses religion on the district’s behalf.” -Elizabeth Cavell, Attorney
“It’s been a tradition for years, you know, they pray for the safety of our team, the other team we’re playing, that it’ll be a good game. -Jessica Fortese Symons
Jessica Fortese Symons understands why it’s illegal, but that doesn’t make it easy.
“To have something like that just ripped out from these kids at the end of our season the week before they’re heading into playoffs it’s just, it really rocked their world.”
In a statement, Dunmore Superintendent told Eyewitness News, “The law is cut and dry. We talked to all our coaches. We wanted them to understand what types of behaviors are acceptable and which ones are infringing on the laws.” -John Marichek, Dunmore Superintendent
Former players are irate:
I don’t think they have any right to butt their nose into our business. We’ve been doing this for 30 or 40 years and all of a sudden it’s an issue? -Sam Malia
Students say they do plan to continue the pre-game prayer tradition tomorrow night, even if they have to do it on their own without their coach. As for Coach Henzes, we tried to reach him but our calls and messages were not immediately returned.