Posted on 05/03/2013 2:14:35 AM PDT by markomalley
Some people are outraged after a high school track team is disqualified from competing in state finals because one runner made a religious gesture. In just a few seconds the boys Columbus High School 4 X 100 relay team went from winning the regional meet, heading to state championships to having it all stripped away. How did the "W" so quickly become "DQ"? Well. when the anchor of the relay team crossed the finish line, he won the race, raised his finger to the sky and that gesture caused the winning regional's relay team to be disqualified.
"It's a sad deal. I think it's a travesty. Those kids work hard," says K.C. Hayes. Hayes' son Derrick Hayes is the runner who won the race then pointed to God, turning a once in a lifetime opportunity into a huge heartbreak that will likely last his lifetime. "As a team they reached their goal and in an instant it was just gone, over something we think is a non-issue. I guess someone else thinks it is an issue. He just said dad I was pointing at the heavens" says K.C. Hayes.
A judge with the University Interscholastic League or UIL, which enforces the rules for high school athletics, was there at the meet in Kingsville and made the call to disqualify the four member relay team. "For those kids the work they put in, what are we teaching them? Ok you're going to sacrifice, work hard and do everything it takes and ok it's just ripped away," says Hayes.
"It's a harsh consequence for what some people may deem a small gesture. The rule states no celebratory gestures including raising your arms," explains Columbus I.S.D. Superintendent Robert O'Connor. According to the UIL the relay team was disqualified for "unsporting conduct". The UIL also points out, it does not have a rule prohibiting religious expression. "You can do whatever you want to in terms of prayer, kneeling or whatever you want to once you get out of the competition area. You just can't do it in the competition area. It goes back to the taunting rule. I can't taunt my opponent," O'Connor explains.
"It's not a malicious act. It's not a taunting act. It's a 'we did it' and he (my son) knows where the source comes from. I know him. He's not a malicious kid. On the football field he'll hit you and then help you up," Hayes says.
"It's heartbreaking," says O'Connor. Superintendent O'Connor says since Saturday's track meet and the disqualification he has received a number of nasty emails. One read 'Dear sir, you, are an idiot'. O'Connor wants to stress this is not his decision. This is coming from the UIL. In fact, the district protested the disqualification but the UIL is not changing the decision.
This wouldn’t have happened if the runner was black, or if he had shouted “allahu akbar”.
Our nation is so screwed up. These UIL officials are idiots and cowards. If this kid had dropped a Muslim prayer rug on the track and bowed down for 10 minutes while pointing toward Mecca, they wouldn’t have said a peep, but because one kid at a track meet pointed towards the clouds after winning a race, the whole team is disqualified. This is not only an unconstitutional ruling, but it is a flagrant act of religious bigotry.
I’m hoping Jay Sekulow is ready to collect a huge fee from this organization.
If this had been a muzzie throwing down his blankie and praying on the finish line we would not have heard about it.
What an absolutely ridiculous situation. This HAS to have a good Constitutional Law lawyer all over it... Plus the public needs to express outrage toward the stupid Czar who is enforcing this “rule”.
< facepalm >
Maybe he was pointing at Uranus.
I bet that they would like.
"You can do whatever you want to in terms of prayer, kneeling or whatever you want to once you get out of the competition area. You just can't do it in the competition area. It goes back to the taunting rule. I can't taunt my opponent."
Even though the headline is a bit misleading, the rule is an example of micromanaging stupidity which of course is the result of the leftists and their agenda to control everything.
I hope there’s a lawsuit. Last time I checked, the part in the constitution guaranteeing freedom of religion has not yet been repealed.
https://www.uiltexas.org/press-releases/detail/uil-region-4-conference-3a-track-decision
Media Contact: Kate Hector
Phone: 512-471-5883
Fax: 512-471-6589
Email: pr@uiltexas.org
I think this contact information could be helpful ;)
And the country became Godless and fell.
They say the decision was made by a “judge,” but they don’t name this judge. I think he should be named, and his address and telephone number be published.
Is it possible the public really condones this?
the rule is an example of micromanaging stupidity
Correct on both counts, at least from the information we have here.
He's a worm.
Rules are rules.
sure sounds like religious bigotry in action
last i checked, EVERY CITIZEN of the United States is protected under the first amendment, not just child pornographers. that protection includes the free exercise of their religious beliefs... which includes pointing to the sky to thank their creator.
i say sue the hell out of the organization then have all officials that signed off on it, fired. then sue them personally.
don’t leave those progressive nazis with a dime to their name
No, of course they're not ready to admit a prohibition on religious expression; so, by creating a structure of rules that effectively bans them they also have plausible deniability.
Thank you Mayor Bloomberg.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.