Sixth Circuit Rules in Favor of Free Exercise of Religion over WMU’s Exemption Policy in Case Involving Vaccines and Collegiate Athletes

By Adam Epstein, JD/MBA On October 7, 2021, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals declined to stay an injunction inDahl v. Bd. of Trs. of W. Mich. Univ.,[1] thereby allowing sixteen student-athletes at Western Michigan University (WMU) to participate in varsity athletics without having to receive a COVID-19 vaccine shot as the school required. The case was appealed on an Emergency Motion from the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan, and the three Sixth Circuit judges unanimo