East Limestone High School in Athens, Ala., has canceled a raffle designed to benefit its boys' basketball program with a top prize of an 5.56-caliber Diamondback AR-15 rifle valued at $782.
As reported by NBC affiliate WAFF in Huntsville, Ala., the drawing was scheduled for Sept. 30, but Limestone County Schools athletic director Russ Cleveland said the raffle has been canceled.
The flyer promoting the raffle for the school’s basketball team was posted last week.
On Sept. 4, a 14-year-old student at Apalachee High School in Winder, Ga., 250 miles from Athens, shot four people dead and injured others using an AR-15.
Per WAFF's report, the Georgia shooting wasn't offered as the specific reason for the raffle cancelation. WAFF's Nick Balenger and Jordan Gartner reported that, according to Cleveland, raffles are against district rules because the school board considers it a form of gambling. He added the booster club was also not permitted to use the East Limestone name on the flyer.
The athletic director said for raffles to be considered from an outside group, the school must approve the list first, as well.
Other prizes listed on the boys' basketball raffle flyer included a $350 Boss Ice Mule Cooler, four tickets to the University of Alabama's football game against South Carolina (a $280 value), a monthlong membership and one free training session at a Shoot 360 basketball training location ($200) and four tickets to Mercer at Alabama ($100). Tickets had been selling for $10 apiece or three for $25.
