Vermont Christian School Wins Legal Battle Over Sports Ban

Vermont’s state education agency has agreed to pay $566,000 to a Christian school after it was barred from participating in sports and academic competitions for two years. The ban followed the school’s refusal to play against a transgender player in 2023.

A judge ruled on Tuesday, finalizing the award of damages to Mid-Vermont Christian School and its legal representatives, the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF). The school had filed a lawsuit back in November 2023, challenging the ban, and the compensation has now been processed.

The settlement comes in the wake of considerable upheaval. All of the school’s sports teams, along with academic teams like those for spelling bees, had to travel out of state to compete, which was quite challenging.

This whole situation began earlier in the 2023 school year at Mid-Vermont Christian School when the decision was made to forfeit postseason basketball games against teams including transgender players. The school prioritized its Christian beliefs over competing, which was an emotional decision.

Coach Chris Goodwin shared that the team faced a hard conversation about this choice. “We all felt it was the right thing to do, but explaining it to the players was tough,” he remarked, noting that the effort they put in throughout the season made the situation even harder to process.

However, the forfeit led to even bigger challenges. Soon after, they learned the consequences of their decision meant bans on not only basketball but all athletic competitions and various academic events. Goodwin described the sudden, strict response from the Vermont Principals Association.

What followed was not just a lost season but years of struggle—they had to find competitions outside Vermont, which was far more complicated. Instead of short trips, they were making lengthy journeys, removing the familiarity of local rivalries while affecting student life.

Goodwin reflected on the difficulties, mentioning how some teams he coached had potential championship-winning capabilities but missed that opportunity. “It’s hard knowing we lost those chances, especially when we had talented teams,” he said.

The impact of the situation was felt deeply—Goodwin articulated how vital these games were for the school community. “Playing in the gym with parents and local supporters was a huge part of our culture. That all just vanished.”

When the school decided to take legal action, they were met with silence from the state and its agencies. ADF Senior Advisor Dave Cortman remarked on the surprising lack of response from Vermont education officials, stressing how the situation had escalated regarding the rights of religious institutions.

The turning point arrived in 2025, when the U.S. Court of Appeals mandated that the school be allowed to participate in state athletics while litigation was ongoing. This marked a significant shift for Mid-Vermont Christian, which had been sidelined for two years.

The court’s ruling enabled Goodwin to guide his team back to the court this season. A poignant moment arose as they returned to the state tournament, a venue revered in Vermont athletics.

Goodwin shared the emotional scene of a former captain connecting with his current player over the phone in a moment of joy and shared sadness. “Seeing what they went through was tough, but at least we were back,” he said, expressing the mixed emotions of triumph and loss.

For both the school and ADF, winning in court means more than just athletics. It falls into a larger conversation about protecting opportunities in girls’ sports across the nation. Cortman pointed out a particular moment during the court hearings when the state labeled the school as being on the “wrong side of history.”

“But this school is actually standing firm in its beliefs and doing what feels right,” he noted. “It’s about more than just sports; it’s about truth and justice.”