Link: Kansas school won't let female ref call boys' game.
The reason given, according to the referees: Campbell, as a woman, could not be put in a position of authority over boys because of the academy's beliefs.
Campbell then walked off the court along with Darin Putthoff, the referee who was to work the game with her.
"I said, 'If Michelle has to leave, then I'm leaving with her,' " Putthoff said Wednesday. "I was disappointed that it happened to Michelle. I've never heard of anything like that."
The Activities Association said it is considering whether to take action against the private religious school. St. Mary's Academy, about 25 miles northwest of Topeka, is owned and operated by the Society of St. Pius X, which follows older Roman Catholic laws. The society's world leader, the late Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, was excommunicated by Pope John Paul II in the late 1980s.
There are 24 schools operated by, or affiliated with, the SSPX organization in the United States.
The SSPX should be able to operate its schools with any mission or policy they want, just as long as they do not violate the law. On the other hand, the local extra-curricular activities association is also free to exclude St. Mary's from league games and organized non-athletic activities.
Stand by for further developments.
Hat tip: Boing Boing
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