A Call for More Support for Transgender Female Athletes
Sadie Schreiner, a transgender athlete participating in NCAA track and field at the Rochester Institute of Technology, has criticized the NCAA for its insufficient scholarship offerings for transgender women in collegiate sports.
According to Fox News, Schreiner has expressed frustration over the limited athletic opportunities available to transgender athletes. She stated that the extra challenges faced by trans athletes often prevent them from fully participating in collegiate sports, as “50% of the country has banned me from participating.” This situation restricts her from attending colleges that may be willing to offer her a full scholarship.
Schreiner emphasized her determination to participate, regardless of state regulations: “It also became clear that states that did, no matter how adamant the coaches were to have me on their teams, the college administrations would usually stop them from allowing me to participate.”
The athlete’s presence in competitive events has already sparked controversy. Recently, Schreiner competed in the 2024 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championship in May, claiming victories in both the women’s 200m and 400m races, and even setting a new record in the 400m event, as reported by Fox News.
Schreiner articulated her concerns about the current climate surrounding transgender rights, stating, “Trans people are actively getting attacked right now, and our rights are getting stripped away.” She believes that those in positions of power are either complicit or indifferent to these challenges. “But we’re not going anywhere. I’m not going anywhere, and I’m sure come this January, you’ll see me again competing on the track,” she declared.
Though Schreiner did not elaborate on her claims regarding the nature of the “attacks,” many advocates point to increased violence against transgender individuals. However, data challenge the narrative of escalating threats. Furthermore, 26 states have enacted laws that restrict gender-affirming care, often including provisions that ban transgender athletes from competing in government-sponsored schools.
NCAA Policies Under Scrutiny
The NCAA is currently facing lawsuits from several women, including action from the Texas attorney general, challenging its policies that permit transgender athletes to compete as women in sports. This contentious issue is likely to escalate to the U.S. Supreme Court for resolution.
