About 100 people gathered Sept. 30, 2023, to celebrate and honor Attorneys Vicki Ballou and Charles Hinkle, the 2002 Cougar Boys Varsity Basketball Team, and other students and families named in lawsuits, and winning the legal battle that sought relief from the OSAA to provide religious accommodations so the team could participate in playoff games rescheduled to outside Sabbath hours.
The 2002 Hall of Fame inductees who attended the Sept. 30 event were team members, coaches and attorney Vicki Ballou, pictured left to right:
Jason Bibb ’02, Coach Sam Roderick, Casey Dietrich ’03, Coach Lance Judd ‘88, Tony Nakashima ’05, Vicki Ballou, Greg “Deuce” Nakashima ’03, Alan Krause ‘02, Ryan Duke ’02, Andy Montgomery ’03, and Ryan Matthews ’02.
Over the 13 years of legal proceedings, additional players and families were named in the proceedings. A number of them were present on Sept. 30, including Principal Matt Stanfill, far right. Principal Gale Crosby was also in attendance but unavailable for the group photo.
See more pictures from the event on either Facebook page:
Saturday, September 30, 2023
5 pm - Doors Open
6 pm - Dessert Reception
Approx. 6:45 pm - Worship
Approx. 7 pm - Program
PAA Gym
Honoring:
2002 Cougar Boys Varsity Basketball Team
Front: Greg Nakashima, Ramon Santos, Tony Nakashima
2nd Row: Assistant Coach Jay Pierce, Gordon Avery, Alan Krause, Ryan Matthews, Casey Dietrich, Jason Bibb, Brian Farthing, Trevor Wart, Ryan Duke, Andy Montgomery, Head Coach Lance Judd
Having made it into the State playoffs and headed to the 3rd-place playoff game, the team chose to forfeit the game rather than play the game scheduled during Saturday Sabbath hours. At that time, the OSAA was unwilling to reschedule the game to accommodate the team’s religious beliefs.
Honoring:
Vicki Ballou and Charles Hinkle
Attorneys Vicki Ballou and Charles Hinkle provided pro bono work in lawsuits and appeals from 1997 – 2010 seeking accommodation for the team’s Sabbath observance and continued participation in the State boys basketball playoffs.
In addition, all the students and families who were named in the lawsuits will be recognized.
For more information, contact Lance Judd at ljudd@paasda.org.
Sponsorships and recognition available. Contact Lance Judd for details.
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