NCAA Updates Policy on Transgender Athletes: What You Need to Know

The NCAA is a large organization that includes over 1,100 colleges and universities across all 50 states. Together, they support more than 530,000 student-athletes, making it a significant part of the American sports landscape.

Recently, discussions have focused on transgender athletes in NCAA sports. According to Mr. Baker, there are currently “less than 10” such athletes participating in the NCAA. The NCAA’s policy allows athletes assigned male at birth to practice with women’s teams and access benefits like medical care, but they cannot compete in official events.

In December, an executive order from the Trump administration directed the Department of Education to investigate schools for compliance with these new rules. Schools found violating these guidelines could be breaking Title IX, a federal law that protects against sex discrimination in education.

After signing the order, Trump stated, “From now on, women’s sports will be only for women.” Supporters of this order argue it brings fairness back to women’s sports. However, many LGBTQ+ advocates and human rights organizations view it as discriminatory.

In light of these changes, the Department of Education recently announced investigations into three schools for potential Title IX violations. One of the schools, San Jose State University, and another, the University of Pennsylvania, are under scrutiny for allowing transgender athletes to compete in women’s sports, despite being notified about the new policies.

The NCAA’s policy regarding transgender athletes was last revised in January 2022. This policy adopts a “sport-by-sport approach,” trying to align its guidelines with those set by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and the International Olympic Committee.

In response to these developments, some lawmakers have expressed strong opinions. Congressman Andy Ogle praised the policy change, stating, “No more biological men in women’s sports.” On the other hand, sports columnist Nancy Armour criticized the NCAA for abandoning its previous principles that allowed transgender participation.