Santa Maria Valley Christian Academy in California announced that it will forfeit its Friday game against Cornerstone Christian because the school will not play against a team with a girl on its roster.
“We have a policy in our school that boys are not to touch girls. And that is a policy to protect our young men and to respect our young ladies mainly,” said Valley Christian Academy superintendent Joel Mikkelson told SI.com. “That policy extends over onto the athletic field, specifically football. ... So, our policy is we will not play a team that has a girl on its roster.”
This is the second time 7-1 Valley Christian has forfeited a game this season, and for the same reason. The school forfeited its quarterfinal game against Cuyama Valley on Oct. 25 because that team had a girl on its roster, ending Valley Christian's seniors' high school careers without taking a snap.
“This is not about arrogance, this is not about pride, this is not about unfairness. In all fairness, we want to treat women with gentleness and respect. And so we want our young men to apply that to the football field,” Mikkelson said. “And we believe football is a violent game, and accordingly we want them to operate within the rules of football and hit people well. And we don’t want them to do that to a young lady.
“And so, we will forfeit a game. ... We give the victory to that other team, so any other team that would complain about that, it’s extremely unfortunate. You know, the reality of this situation is ... we probably won’t win the league championship this year because of that policy that we want to stand by, to treat young ladies with respect.”
