Pic Of Bismarck Footballers at Prayer Sparks Debate

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota's High School Activities Association says it has not created a new rule banning prayer at sports games.

The statement comes in response to a Facebook post of praying players that caused a stir.

A photo of the Bismarck St. Mary's and Kindred football teams praying together after Saturday's playoff game in Bismarck has been shared more than 2,000 times on Facebook. The post by a local resident states that the activities association "said no public prayers before the game."

Association Executive Director Matt Fetsch tells The Bismarck Tribune (http://bit.ly/1Q80ij4 ) that a prayer can't be delivered over the public-address system at a postseason game because those games are hosted by the association and not the home team.

Fetsch says the association is a public entity, subject to federal law.