Students glad to have Lay, Freeman back

PACE, Fla. - Students and teachers at Pace High School in Florida let out a collective sigh of relief Friday. Their principal and athletic director were cleared of contempt of court charges for praying at school, a case which the ACLU brought against the two men.

Earlier in the year, Principal Frank Lay and Athletic Director Robert Freeman were slammed with the charges, after Lay asked Freeman to pray at an athletic banquet.

"It didn't make sense, especially what we were charged with and what we were in federal court for. We just didn't get it and didn,t understand it," Lay said.

The atmosphere outside the Federal Court House on Thursday was electric, as supporters of the school administrators lined the street and filled the air with cheers for prayer.

"They were there to say, 'Hey, we support you,' and it meant a lot and it was a day to remember, you know. From a spiritual standpoint in my life, it was a day God showed up big," said the principal.

Coach Robert Freeman said he was humbled by the experience, and that it was one that he'd never forget.

"We felt the support. We felt the support in the building five stories up. Someone told me yesterday that it had rained six inches in downtown Pensacola, and I don't think it deterred the crowd one bit," Freeman said.

Over 700 Pace High School students took an un-excused absence Thursday to support their principal and coach. Although most of the kids missed a day of school, Freeman feels like they still received a valuable learning experience.

"I think for them just to be there and to see the real world in action, you know, pro, con, good, bad and all that. I think it was good for them and there were teachers there, so it was like an educational field trip," said the coach.

Both men say they're just ready to get things back to normal.

"I'm just real thankful to be back here today and it’s feeling a whole lot better," said Lay.