Coach for the Lord Article

[gymforlord]

This article came out several months ago, but felt it worth sharing! Duane
 

Jr. College Coach Resigns After Religious Signs Removed
By The Associated Press

ALEXANDER CITY, Ala. (AP) — Central Alabama Community College
baseball coach Don Ingram resigned after the school removed two signs
bearing religious messages from the outfield fence.

The 8-foot by 12-foot signs, sold to sponsors for $1,000 apiece, were
taken down after the community college received complaints because of
their religious nature.

An individual paid for a sign reading "John 3:16" that was sponsored
by the school's Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter. The second
sign, sponsored by Prospect Baptist Church, read: "True success is
finding out what God wants you to do, then doing it."

"I resigned because I will not compromise my commitment to my Lord
and Savior, Jesus Christ," Ingram said in a letter mailed to his
latest signing class. He added that he didn't fault school
administrators for the decision.

Ingram had coached the Trojans for the past eight years. He will
remain as coach and athletic director until his contract expires on
Aug. 31. He will then serve as an ex-officio member on the board
choosing his replacement.

CACC president Linda McGuirt ordered the signs removed on March 1.
She cited Alabama State Board of Education policy stating that, "The
use of facilities shall be compatible with the philosophy, functions,
and objectives of the institution."

Dr. Amelia Pearson, provost and dean of instruction, said the
outfield fence of a public institution wasn't the appropriate place
for such messages. She said defending against a potential lawsuit
wouldn't be the proper use of public funds.

"We appreciate his position on this and he appreciates ours," Pearson
told The Alexander City Outlook in a story Thursday. "It's a very
amicable situation. He's not hostile towards us and we're not hostile
toward him in the slightest. He just felt like that's what he needed
to do."

Ingram, a member of Prospect Baptist Church, said he felt like he
needed to take a stand for his beliefs.

"I just felt like in this situation, God was pushed back and that's
not a position he needs to be in," Ingram said.

"We have to be willing to stand up for what is right. That's why I'm
taking this stance."