It is time that we stood up for our God. In case you did not see this article in the outlook please read it.
If you would like to e-mail the president of CACC and protest this move her e-mail address is. lmcgurit@cacc.edu
Resignation: 'signs' from God?
| |
| |
By turning in his letter of resignation on March 5, Central Alabama Community College head baseball coach Don Ingram put an end to more than 25 years of coaching a sport he dearly loves - the last eight in Alexander City for the Trojans.
Coming into the 2007 season, Ingram had led the Trojans to a 182-97 record, three second place finishes in the Region XXII baseball tournament and had developed multiple All-American, Academic All-American and All-Region players. Three of his teams were recognized as the NJCAA Academic Team of the Year.
But Ingram wasn't upset about submitting his resignation in any way because he was giving it up for a greater love - his love for Jesus Christ.
Ingram's decision to step down was based on the school's decision to remove two 8-foot by 12-foot signs placed on the outfield wall of the Trojans' baseball field. Both signs were removed after complaints were received by school officials because of the signs' religious nature.
"I resigned because I will not compromise my commitment to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ," Ingram said in a letter mailed to 2007 CACC signees. "(CACC administrators) have not in any way caused this problem. They have only administered existing state board policy."
CACC president Linda McGuirt, who was out of town Wednesday and could not be reached, ordered the signs removed on March 1, citing Alabama State Board of Education policy number 512.01-4: Non-Institution Use of Institution Facilities. The rule reads, "The use of facilities shall be compatible with the philosophy, functions, and objectives of the institution."
| |
Dr. Amelia Pearson, CACC Provost and Dean of Instruction, explained that while many may agree with the message on the signs in question, the outfield fence of a public institution such as CACC wasn't the place for them.
"From a Christian perspective, I agree with what the signs had to say," Pearson said, "but the facts of the matter are that we are guardians of state funds and as administrators of this college. We don't have the money to defend such a case if someone threatened a lawsuit. You're going to lose that battle in court. We wouldn't be very good guardians of state funds if we were to take a stand here."
The two signs in question were sold by the college at a sponsor fee of $1,000 each. An individual purchased one sign which read, "John 3:16" and was sponsored by the CACC Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The second sign was sponsored by Prospect Baptist Church and read, "True success is finding out what God wants you to do, then doing it."
"We weren't discriminating," said Ingram, who is a member of Prospect Baptist Church. "It's like I've told a lot of people, there are three things you don't mess with as far as I'm concerned. First, don't mess with my God, second don't mess with my family and third don't mess with my boys."
When Ingram says "boys," he is affectionately referring to his baseball team.
"I just felt like in this situation," Ingram said, "God was pushed back and that's not a position he needs to be in. Dr. Pearson and I are very good friends. None of this is her fault. None of this is Ms. McGuirt's fault. It's getting to the point that it's society's fault.
"Our Constitution was signed by 55 men - 52 of whom were faithful servants within their churches. That's what the basis of our country was founded on. We're getting so far away from that. We have to be willing to stand up for what is right. That's why I'm taking this stance."
Pearson feels both sides - the school administration on one and Ingram on the other - understand each other.
"We appreciate his position on this and he appreciates ours," Pearson said. "It's a very amicable situation. He's not hostile towards us and we're not hostile toward him in the slightest. He just felt like that's what he needed to do."
