Former College Tennis Star Urges Trump to Reform NCAA Transgender Athlete Policy

Kim Jones, a former All-American collegiate tennis player and co-founder of the Independent Council on Women’s Sports (ICONS), recently issued a powerful message to President Donald Trump. Her statement came amid growing concerns that the NCAA’s updated policy on transgender athletes still harbors significant loopholes.

Following Trump’s executive order banning biological males from participating in women’s sports, the NCAA responded the next day by revising its trans inclusion policies.

Jones is now calling on Trump to pressure the NCAA to thoroughly rewrite its policies.

“Call the NCAA back to the table and tell them to put the policy in the garbage can, light it on fire and start over,” Jones declared in an interview on Fox & Friends.

Criticism of NCAA’s Policy

Jones has been vocal about her belief that the NCAA’s recent policy falls short of adequately protecting female athletes within college sports. Critics widely assert that the existing policy fails to provide clear rules that effectively safeguard women’s participation.

Many have highlighted a particular concern that the policy allows transgender athletes to circumvent restrictions by simply changing their gender on official documents such as birth certificates.

Birth Certificate Regulations in the U.S.

In the United States, 44 states permit individuals to modify the sex listed on their birth certificates. However, a handful of states—including Florida, Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Montana—do not allow this practice. Additionally, 14 states, such as California, New York, Massachusetts, and Michigan, allow changes without requiring any medical documentation.

NCAA’s Stand on Birth Certificate Changes

The NCAA recently responded to inquiries, making it clear that transgender athletes cannot compete in the women’s category based on altered birth certificates.

“The policy is explicit that no waivers are granted, and athletes assigned male at birth are not permitted to join a women’s team with modified birth certificates or other identification,” an NCAA spokesperson stated.

Jones Calls for Fundamental Changes

Jones emphasized that the NCAA must implement two essential changes to protect female athletes effectively. Firstly, the organization should declare that participation on women’s teams is exclusive to female athletes.

“Secondly, there must be a robust screening mechanism to ensure that no male athletes can breach this barrier,” she added.

Jones expressed concern that Trump’s order, titled “No Men in Women’s Sports,” has not yet been fully enforced.

“It’s not remotely a done deal,” she criticized. “The NCAA’s released policy lacks accountability and oversight. It fails to define women’s team membership strictly and does not provide any screening for sex.”

NCAA’s Policy on Practice Players

Regarding male athletes who frequently practice on women’s teams, the NCAA continues to recognize them as a traditional aspect of women’s sports. “Male practice players have been integral in college sports for decades, especially in women’s basketball,” the spokesperson mentioned.

However, a source familiar with the matter disclosed that these male practice players are not eligible for scholarships reserved for female athletes.

Clarity Needed in NCAA Policies

Currently, the details surrounding the NCAA’s policies—specifically regarding birth certificate or ID changes and scholarships for transgender athletes—remain unclear. The official NCAA policy page does not explicitly outline these factors.

As the conversation surrounding these important issues continues, it remains to be seen whether the NCAA will proactively update its policies to address critics’ concerns and adapt to the evolving landscape of college athletics.

An Uncertain Future for Women’s Sports

The discussion around transgender athletes competing in women’s sports is becoming increasingly contentious. Advocates for both sides are passionately arguing their positions as the landscape shifts.

Jones’s plea to Trump to involve himself further reflects a growing sentiment among those worried about the implications of current policies on female athletes. How these developments unfold will play a crucial role in shaping the future of women’s sports in America.

Fox News’ Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.