This is Doug Vander Linden. I have been a technology teacher and wrestling coach in Burlington, Kansas for the past 21 years. I have not been a minister, preacher or priest at any time in my career. Just a teacher and a coach. I have also sponsored Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Burlington High School for the past 11 years.
I am not going to begin to address the pages of responses that this post has created. I have never sent a private message to any of those that have had differring views to the ones shared by Michael, Brett and others. This will be my only post on this thread.
Quite simply, we were called out as doing something wrong in 2010 and now again in 2011. I was provided a copy of the memo from the KSHSAA in February of 2010 from Rick Bowden.
Please note that Mr. Bowden shared that a pre-tournament, student-led prayer whether by Wrestlers4Christ, Fellowship of Christian Athletes or Athletes in Action would be legal and allowable provided that it was held prior to the official start of the event. The official start was defined as the Introduction of Teams, National Anthem or the start of the first match of the first round. Therefore, the students are allowed to gather, pray and go back to warming up any time prior to the official start of each day of the tournament.
We are looking forward to 16 great regional tournaments and 4 great state tournaments over the next 2 weeks. Thank you for sharing a passion for Kansas Wrestling. I have a team of great young men to get ready for Friday.
You are welcome to call at 620-364-2054 in the evenings to discuss any further concerns.
