Mid Vermont Christian School and Alliance Defending Freedom received a five hundred sixty-six thousand dollar settlement from Vermont's athletic association after the school was banned from state-sponsored competitions for over two years following its withdrawal from a 2023 postseason matchup featuring a trans-identifying male athlete on the opposing roster.
Girls basketball coach Chris Goodwin told OutKick's Dan Dakich he believes Vermont athletic-association officials were trying to make an example of Mid Vermont Christian School while sending a message to other schools across the state. The Vermont Principals' Association paid damages and legal fees as part of a partial settlement after banning the school from VPA-run competitions for refusing to play against a team including a biological male.
"I had some phone calls from other coaches and athletic directors saying that they couldn't say it out loud, but they let me know they are in support of the decision we made to protect our girls from competing against biological males."
Goodwin recounted hearing privately from other coaches and athletic directors who supported Mid Vermont's decision even if unwilling to say so publicly, demonstrating the intimidation tactics that force educators to remain silent about biological males competing in girls' sports despite recognizing the fundamental unfairness. ADF attorney David Cortman joined Goodwin discussing the settlement and years-long fight defending the school's right to protect female athletes.
The dispute began when Mid Vermont's girls' team withdrew from the 2023 postseason matchup after learning the opposing roster included a trans-identifying male athlete. Rather than respecting the school's decision to protect its female students from competing against biological males with inherent physical advantages, Vermont athletic officials expelled the school from competitions for exercising its right to maintain fair competition for girls.
The settlement represents partial victory for schools defending girls' sports against biological males claiming female identity to compete against girls. Vermont's willingness to pay over half a million dollars demonstrates recognition that banning schools for protecting female athletes from unfair competition creates legal liability that athletic associations cannot sustain despite progressive pressure.
The Mid Vermont Christian School settlement validates that schools have the right to protect female athletes from competing against biological males without facing retaliation from athletic associations captured by transgender ideology. The fact that other coaches and directors privately supported the decision while remaining publicly silent demonstrates the climate of fear surrounding this issue where stating obvious biological facts about male physical advantages invites professional destruction. Vermont taxpayers funded this settlement because athletic officials prioritized progressive ideology over fairness, girls' safety, and basic biological reality.