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University Christian Waits To Hear Verdict In Public Prayer Case

Mauricio Pastor
/
Wikimedia Commons
This photo is for illustrative purposes. It is not connected to University Christian or Cambridge Christian high schools.

A federal appeals court has heard arguments in a public prayer case involving the 2015 state high school football championship between University Christian in Jacksonville and Cambridge Christian in Tampa.

The Cambridge Lancers asked to say a prayer over the public address system before the game at Camping World Stadium in Orlando started

The Florida High School Athletic Association said no. That decision was later upheld by a federal Judge and the Tampa school appealed.

University Christian Headmaster Heath Nivens said his school isn’t a party to the suit but is still watching to see what the outcome will be.

“I think the win in this situation is more for Christians across the state. It sends a message that not only is it wrong to discriminate but you can’t discriminate against any group, including Christians. And I think that is the larger crux of the argument that’s being made.”

Arguments in the case were heard last week. There’s no deadline for a ruling.

As for the 2015 Class 2-A State Football Championship, University Christian’s Fightin’ Christians won that game 61-to-16.

Contact reporter Cyd Hoskinson at choskinson@wjct.org, 904-358-6351 and on Twitter @cydwjctnews.

Photo used under Creative Commons license.

Cyd Hoskinson began working at WJCT on Valentine’s Day 2011.