Controversy over Yom Kippur track meet

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, June 19 (UPI) -- The superintendent of Anchorage, Alaska, schools is asking the state to allow the city to reschedule a cross-country regionals meet that falls on Yom Kippur.

The meet is scheduled for Sept. 22, which this year coincides with the holiest day in the Jewish religion, creating a dilemma for Jewish students who would be forced to choose between their religion and their sport, the Anchorage Daily News reported Tuesday.

Superintendent Carol Comeau said she wants to have the event rescheduled.

"Our students should be able to participate in their religious practices just like we expect the Christians to be able to participate in theirs," she said. "We don't schedule (school events) on Easter; we don't schedule them on Christmas. To me, it's the same thing."

However, Gary Matthews, head of the Alaska School Activities Association, said activities are only barred from holidays that also cause school dismissals.

"If it's not important enough for schools to be dismissed," Matthews said, "then why is it important enough to not have a regional or conference championship or state tournament that day?"

The decision on whether to change the date rests with the nine members of the ASAA board.