Red Lion Christian Academy (Bear, Del.) will have a new home next year, but building the football program into a national power will no longer be the focus of the football staff.
Glasgow Reformed Presbyterian Church in Bear has made plans to obtain Red Lion Christian Academy, which has gone through financial hardships recently and is currently $6 million in debt. According to Delaware Online, the controversy surrounding the football team, along with declining enrollment, is partly to blame for the debt.
Red Lion Christian Academy admitted to violating state rules when it scheduled too many games, held too many practices and did not properly distribute financial aid. The school also had plans to build the program into a national power, but that plan will likely be put on hold with the recent acquisition.
"We believe we can still have a powerful football program that reaches out and touches young men who wouldn't otherwise make it," Rev. Chuck F. Betters told Delaware Online. "We believe that's possible with some changes in priorities and shifting of values as we go forward. I don't envision us going all over the nation to play football."
This season, Red Lion Christian Academy posted a 5-5 overall record while playing an independent schedule. It played teams from five different states, including Ohio, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Florida. Ironically, the team did not play a single team from Delaware this year.
The Red Lion Evangelical Free Church, which founded the school 30 years ago, voted 124-5 to allow Glasgow to take over the school. Glasgow, which will combine its own school with Red Lion's student body, is expected to take over Dec. 1.
The members of the coaching staff have been asked to turn in their resignations, although Delaware Online reports that they may reapply for their jobs.
Red Lion Christian Academy's
David Sills, one of the top freshman quarterbacks in the country, has not indicated whether or not he plans to stay at Red Lion. His father, David Sills IV, told Delaware Online, "Like anyone else, I'll wait to see what comes of it."
According to Red Lion School Board President Patrick Fieger, the Glasgow acquisition will allow the school to start anew.
"We see Pastor Betters as a visionary," Fieger told Delaware Online. "We expect the school to thrive and not just survive in the coming years."
