Christian school refuses to play SLO County football team because it has 2 girl players

The nine-game 2022 football schedule for a San Luis Obispo County high school was suddenly whittled down to eight games last week when its opponent, a Christian academy in Santa Maria, announced it was refusing to play.

Why?

Because the Broncos have two girls on the team, Emily Reed and Andrea Aguilar.

Hence, Valley Christian Academy in southern Santa Maria said that, rather than clashing on the gridiron on Oct. 29 with a Coast Union team that has females suited up, it will accept a forfeit.

“I am upset with VCA’s decision, especially because (Emily and Andrea) are being singled out for their gender,” Bronco Head Coach Andrew Crosby said in an email.

“It’s not fair,” he continued, “and I hope that because of the support of their families, the team, and community, that they can have confidence that we support them.”

Crosby emphasized that the team would “not consider either of them sitting out. They are part of our team and will suit up for every game. It’s difficult because you want to explain to them that it’s not their fault. …”

The VCA decision — an apparent violation of Title IX, the federal law that prohibits discrimination in sports based on gender — appears to also violate the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) rules that schools must adhere to and comply with Title IX.

Legal action against VCA

It’s not the first time Valley Christian Academy has refused to play a team with a girl on the roster.

A lawsuit was filed against VCA in 2021 by the parent of a female player on Cuyama Valley High School football because VCA would not play Cuyama Valley while her daughter was on the team.

The lawsuit alleges “violations of state and federal civil rights laws, and intentional infliction of emotional distress,” according to an article published in the Santa Maria Times (which updated its story in 2022).

The plaintiff is also seeking a jury trial and “unspecified damages over loss of education and career opportunities, reputation, well-being, and attorney’s fees.”

Moreover, the suit seeks an injunction that would prevent VCA from discriminating against high school students based on gender, according to the article in the Santa Maria Times.

There has not been a resolution to Cuyama Valley’s legal challenge as of the publishing of this story.

The legal action also takes on the First Baptist Church of Santa Maria, which includes VCA as part of its parish.

A phone call to Joel Mikkelson, the lead pastor and school superintendent for VCA, seeking comment on VCA’s decision not to play Coast Union was not immediately returned.

But in a letter to Cuyama Valley High School (quoted in the Santa Maria Times), Mikkelson said: “Football is a violent game and we understand the value of such in training our young men within the boundaries of an organized sport.”

Citing passages from the Bible, Mikkelson added that VCA means “no ill will towards Cuyama Valley High School or any of its students or their families.”

VCA has been one of Coast Union’s traditional adversaries in the Coast Valley League. Year after year, the league championship (in baseball and football) often comes down to the final game between the Lions and Broncos.

As regards the girls on Coast’s team, Offensive Coordinator Charlie Casale said: “Emily and Andrea are definitely team players, and if the opportunity comes up, they will be in the game. Both have great attitudes and are a big part of our team.”

The Broncos’ opening game is set for Thursday, Sept. 1, at 5 p.m. at home against Laguna Blanca. The game will be broadcast on BOB FM (105.3); it streams on www.bobfm1053.com.

This story was originally published August 26, 2022 at 2:34 PM with the headline "Christian school refuses to play SLO County football team because it has 2 girl players."