Whats legal whats not

There are many situations between religion and sports that are not clearly defined as legal or illegal. In 1962 the Supreme Court banned organized prayers in public schools, which meant, prayers may not be legal when they are said publicly and collectively at sport events sponsored by state organizations, such as public schools (Coakley, 539). Although in 1992 this still upset two families and they decided to bring this decision back to the Supreme Court, stating that it was in violation of the first amendment, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion." In turn this allowed public prayers in schools as long as it wasn't to convert anyone, nonsectarian and general in content. Although, this decision was not upheld for sporting events. An appellate judge ruled that sport events were not serious enough to require the solemnity of public prayer, stating prayers are inappropriate" (Coakley, 539).

This decision of the Supreme Court was not an effort to separate religion and sport but to make sure that it was not forced on to anyone who didn't not want apart of it. Which is why organizations and schools have been founded on religious beliefs for kids, who wish to further their education on the bases of that religion.

Although if you looked at a lot of individual athletes before a game or big event, they prepare them selves with prayer. Most players will take a knee close their eyes and say a short prayer, some may cross themselves in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; but, none of these things are forced on to anyone else, which is within the guidelines set by the Supreme Court.

Mormon student-athletes that attend universities primarily BYU (Brigham Young University) have to fulfill a mission trip. What that means is that students for two years generally go to another country and volunteer their time and services; such as building churches, libraries, homes, providing health care and education, while also preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ (N, 2009). These students who are called to these missions who are athletes are not penalized any years of eligibility, in some cases resulting in 20 plus year old freshman/student athletes. This is just an example of students being able to do works for their religion and colleges and universities not penalizing them for fulfilling religious duties (Bruner, 2010).

Case: New Mexico State Sued by Three Former Players
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/60238/college_athletes_persecuted_for_religious.html





Bruner, R. (2010). What is a lds mission?. Retrieved from
        http://lds.about.com/od/programs3foldmission/p/lds_mission.htm
N, A. (2009, February 20). When sports and religion collide. Retrieved from
       http://sportsjabber.net/2009/02/20/when-sports-and-religion-collide/
Coackley, J. (2009) Sports in society. New York, NY: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.