Former Roanoke Swimmer Speaks Out on Handling of Trans Athlete’s Distressing Claims

This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, please reach out to the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

In a shocking revelation, Lily Mullens, the former captain of the women’s swim team at Roanoke College, recounted her emotional experience during an early September meeting that delved into serious issues surrounding a transgender athlete’s mental health. This meeting, held over Zoom, was called to address the concerns of the athletic team regarding the inclusion of a biological male transgender swimmer who wished to compete with the team.

Mullens recalls the atmosphere of confusion and anxiety that engulfed her and her teammates as they grappled with the complexity of the situation. The core of the discussion revolved not only around athletic fairness but also centered on the alleged suicidal ideation expressed by the transgender swimmer, who Mullens referred to as ‘Swimmer A.’

A Disturbing Disclosure

During the meeting, administrators sought to create a safe space for discussion, yet the revelation shared by Swimmer A took a dark turn. Mullens highlighted one particularly disturbing claim made by the athlete, detailing purported plans to commit suicide.

“The plan was actually detailed to us,” Mullens said, describing how the athlete mentioned wanting to leap from the top of a campus building. This admission left team members in a state of emotional turmoil, complicating their response to the central question of the meeting which was whether Swimmer A should be allowed to participate in competitions.

Despite the severe nature of the conversation, Mullens perceived that the school administrators remained largely silent during and after the athlete’s agonizing disclosure. Once the discussion progressed, the team was asked to participate in a virtual poll on whether to permit the transgender swimmer to compete with the women’s team, placing the students in a highly stressful position.

Shockingly, Mullens found that after initial discussions with her teammates led her to believe a consensus against the plan existed, only she and one other swimmer voted ‘no.’ The remainder of the team voted in favor of allowing Swimmer A to score, creating a sense of betrayal among some members.

Emotional Burden of Young Athletes

The emotional fallout from that meeting was palpable, as Mullens reflected on the distress experienced by her teammates. She emphasized the weight of being young adults—at just 19 or 20 years old—confronted with such heavy issues of mental health and identity, all coupled with the pressure of team dynamics.

“I stuck to my guns and I said ‘no.’ But leaving that meeting was difficult. My friends called afterward, expressing their distress,