Christian School Wins 566,000 USD After Vermont Banned Them for Refusing to Play Against a Trans Athlete

Mid Vermont Christian School Settles With Vermont Principals Association in Landmark Religious Liberty Sports Case

Mid Vermont Christian School has been awarded a 566,000 dollar settlement after the Vermont Principals' Association tried to permanently expel the school from state sponsored sports for the "crime" of forfeiting a girls basketball game against a team featuring a male athlete identifying as female.

The settlement, announced on 29 April 2026, follows a multi year legal battle led by Alliance Defending Freedom on behalf of the school.

Vermont Christian School Vindicated After Refusing Trans Athlete on Religious Grounds

"The government cannot punish religious schools by permanently kicking them out of state sponsored sports simply because the state disagrees with their religious beliefs," declared David Cortman, Senior Counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom.

The school's girls basketball coach Chris Goodwin framed the case in plain terms: "As a coach, I always want my team to play in fair and safe competitions. As a dad, I want my daughter to know that she should always stand up for her beliefs."

In September 2025 the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ordered the Vermont Principals' Association to reinstate the school. The settlement closes claims against the association's executive director, while litigation continues over Vermont's Town Tuitioning and Dual Enrollment exclusions.

The Crusader's Opinion

This is what a generation of Christian girls owes Mid Vermont Christian School. Their coaches and players refused to put their daughters on a court with a male athlete and were punished for it. Today the punishment costs Vermont half a million dollars. Every Christian school facing the same intimidation should take note. The lie of trans inclusion has met its match in the truth of biology, and the courts are finally siding with sanity. Defend your daughters. Honour their dignity. Refuse the lie. The law, finally, will back you up.

Take Action

• Donate: Alliance Defending Freedom, who won this victory
• Encourage: Mid Vermont Christian School with messages of support and prayer
• Contact: Your school district demanding fair, sex based athletic categories
• Share: Post the 566,000 settlement and ask "Why are Christian schools the only ones standing up for girls sports?"
• Pray: For Christian coaches and athletes who suffer for refusing to participate in the lie