Sports vs. Church: The Dilemma of Choosing Sides

Abstract

Firing someone is never easy. But when it’s your best head coach, whom everybody loves, and who is claiming discrimination for not being allowed to attend church, things get downright messy.

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“I want to thank you all for being here tonight,” Tom said. “As you know, we have a tough decision to make.” He looked at each of the six board members, weighing his words carefully. “Mitch Anderson, head coach of the 12U Redbirds team, has missed several practices and games. In a nutshell, he has failed to fulfill his obligations as a head coach.” Tom watched as one of the board members looked down and shook his head. “A head coach has an obligation to be at all practices and all games,” Tom continued. “If that coach cannot fulfill his obligations, then he should not be allowed to coach.” Another board member sighed heavily. Tom knew that Mitch was well liked by the players, parents, and many of the board members. “It’s our job,” he explained, “as the governing body of this organization, to decide if Mitch should continue as head coach.”

“Excuse me, Tom.” One of the board members said. “It’s my understanding that Mitch has only missed a few Wednesday night practices. And that these missed practices were to attend church events?”

Tom nodded his head. “That is correct,” he said. “He has also made his daughter, Sarah, miss practice for these church events.”

Silence.