Response from Lia Thomas’ Teammates as UPenn Faces Funding Suspension Amid Trans Athlete Policy Controversy

Response from Lia Thomas’ Teammates as UPenn Faces Funding Suspension Amid Trans Athlete Policy Controversy

In recent developments, President Donald Trump’s administration has intensified its scrutiny of transgender athletes’ inclusion in women’s sports, prompting significant reactions from individuals impacted by these policies.

Following the administration’s announcement of a pause on $175 million in federal funding to the University of Pennsylvania over its policies regarding transgender athletes in women’s sports, many women who have competed alongside former UPenn swimmer Lia Thomas have voiced their support for this funding suspension.

A joint statement from three of Thomas’ former teammates—Grace Estabrook, Margot Kaczorowski, and Ellen Holmquist—was shared with Fox News Digital through the Independent Council for Women’s Sports, praising the actions taken by the Trump administration.

They stated, “We are pleased that universities are beginning to recognize the repercussions of actions that harm female students on their campuses. We hope this trend continues. The University of Pennsylvania, along with other NCAA institutions, has ignored federal regulations and adversely affected women.”

The statement emphasized the perceived dangers posed to female athletes, asserting, “They have knowingly deprived women of opportunities and awards, endangered their safety, and allowed the harassment of female student athletes. Every woman on a college campus deserves assurance of Title IX protections. Institutions that undervalue women’s welfare must comprehend that they cannot alter or disregard the federal protections that women depend on.”

In an official communication to Fox News Digital, a spokesperson from UPenn commented that the institution had not yet received any formal notification concerning the funding suspension, asserting continued compliance with NCAA and Ivy League regulations.

They added, “While we are aware of various media reports suggesting a halt to $175 million in federal funding to UPenn, we have not received any official word or details. It’s crucial to note that UPenn has consistently adhered to NCAA and Ivy League policies regarding student participation on athletic teams. We are committed to remaining compliant with the applicable regulations relevant to our institution and our NCAA and Ivy League counterparts.”

The three former teammates are currently pursuing legal action against UPenn, the Ivy League, and the NCAA, highlighting their experiences with Thomas and the institutions’ management of the situation. The lawsuit seeks to have all of Thomas’ accolades in women’s competitions rescinded.

The plaintiffs assert that Thomas’s participation as a transgender swimmer harmed them and breached federal law.

Previously, Thomas, born biologically male, competed for the UPenn men’s swimming team between 2017 and 2020 under the name Will Thomas. During the 2022 Ivy League Swimming Championships, Thomas achieved first place in the 500-, 200-, and 100-yard freestyle events, breaking multiple records and emerging as the top swimmer in the competition.

The lawsuit recounts an introduction where women’s swimming head coach Mike Schnur presented Thomas to the women’s team during a meeting in Fall 2019, clarifying that Thomas would not share their locker room. However, that assertion reportedly changed.

As the women returned to school in Fall 2021, they discovered that Thomas was permitted to use the women’s locker room at UPenn and during swim meets.

The lawsuit alleges, “The female swimmers were taken aback to learn that Thomas had been granted authorization to share their locker room and was allowed to do so during swim competitions.”

One of the swimmers, Margot Kaczorowski, expressed shock upon entering the women’s locker room only to find Thomas changing nearby.

It is claimed that university administrators pressured the swimmers to embrace pro-trans ideologies throughout the inclusion process. The former swimmers contend they were made to feel that their discomfort was a psychological issue.

According to the lawsuit, administrators suggested the women should seek counseling if they struggled with Thomas being part of their team, encouraging contact with the Counseling and Psychological Services and the LGBTQ center. They also promoted a discussion titled “Trans 101,” indicating the administration’s stance that any dissent regarding Thomas’s presence on the team stemmed from a psychological issue requiring support.

The Department of Education has launched an investigation into potential Title IX violations occurring at UPenn as of February, as previously reported by Fox News Digital.

As the repercussions of that investigation begin to unfold, the discourse surrounding transgender athletes and women’s sports remains fiercely contested.

Contributions to this report were provided by Fox News’ Paulina Dedaj.

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