Missouri —

FFRF successfully worked with the Hannibal School District #60 in Missouri to stop religious prayers at district softball events.

A concerned parent reported that on Nov. 13, 2025, the Hannibal High School Girls’ Softball Coach directed a student to lead all attendees in prayer at the softball team’s award banquet. While the student led the prayer, the coach and the assistant coach reportedly stood and bowed their heads with the students and parents in attendance. The parent who contacted FFRF stated that this is the second year in a row that the coach promoted religion while acting in his official capacity as coach. Additionally, the assistant coach had a pattern and practice of praying with students before and after games while serving as a representative of the district.

The parent stated that they and their child felt “obligated” to participate in the banquet prayer because the vocal majority of the team was religious, and they feared retaliation. Further, the student reported that the prayers made them uncomfortable, but they participated to avoid losing opportunities to receive awards or have the coach speak to college coaches on their behalf.

FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote to the district, and the district took immediate corrective action. Superintendent Ritchie Kracht emailed FFRF to detail an investigation that confirmed FFRF’s report. Kracht explained that he spoke with both coaches to make sure they fully understand that the prayers were unacceptable.

“The head coach will ensure this will not happen again in his program,” Kracht wrote. “We are also educating the rest of our coaching staff in all our activities to ensure this does not happen again.”

The post FFRF helped stop religious prayers at district softball events. (March 2026) appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.