RIT Faces Title IX Complaint Over Trans Athlete’s Participation in Women’s Sports

RIT Faces Title IX Complaint Over Trans Athlete’s Participation in Women’s Sports

The Concerned Women for America (CWA) has lodged a complaint against the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) regarding its decision to allow trans athlete Sadie Schreiner to compete on the women’s track and field team. This complaint was officially submitted to the U.S. Department of Education, which has recently initiated investigations into several educational institutions for potential Title IX violations.

The CWA’s grievance follows a notable pattern of complaints about the participation of transgender athletes in women’s sports, reflecting broader societal debates. It has specifically pointed to examples such as cases at San Jose State University, the University of Pennsylvania, and various high school athletic associations across multiple states, including Massachusetts, Minnesota, and California.

Penny Nance, CEO and President of CWA, has outlined the organization’s stance on this matter. In her statement, she emphasized that RIT is purportedly violating Title IX regulations by including a trans-identifying male on its women’s team. Nance argues that the school’s defense—citing adherence to the NCAA’s Transgender Participation Policy—fails to align with federal law.

Nance stated, “Rochester Institute of Technology continues to violate Title IX anti-discrimination rules for male and female teams by rostering a trans-identifying male on its women’s track team. While RIT claims it is complying with NCAA policy, it must adhere to Title IX, which is the law. Educational institutions cannot invoke NCAA guidelines to disregard women’s civil rights. The NCAA does not have the authority to redefine the meaning of sex under federal regulations that differentiate male and female teams, according to Title IX’s requirements.”

Fox News Digital has reached out to RIT for a response to the allegations. Meanwhile, an RIT spokesperson previously informed Fox News that Schreiner will not be participating in upcoming meets, citing compliance with the NCAA’s updated policies, which reflect President Donald Trump’s executive order prohibiting trans athletes from competing in women’s events.

The spokesperson remarked, “We continue to follow the NCAA participation policy for transgender student-athletes post-Trump administration’s executive order, and Sadie is not participating in the next meet.” However, RIT has not confirmed whether Schreiner remains on the roster or if she is still actively practicing with the team.

Despite these changes, Schreiner maintains a player profile on the team’s official website, raising questions about her current status. NCAA guidelines indicate that a biological male can still practice with a women’s team and receive various benefits associated with student-athlete status.

Furthermore, Trump’s recent executive order, titled “No Men in Women’s Sports,” introduces significant consequences, threatening federal funding to institutions that permit trans athletes in women’s sports. Schreiner, who holds multiple school records in women’s track—including the 200-, 300-, and 400-meter indoor dashes, as well as the 200- and 400-meter outdoor dashes—has become a prominent figure in discussions surrounding this contentious issue.

This year, her participation sparked significant controversy, particularly following her performance at the 2024 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championship in May. Earlier that month, Schreiner excelled at the Liberty League Championship, breaking the record in the 400-meter event while clinching victories in both the 200- and 400-meter races. Interestingly, her performance would have resulted in a last-place finish if it had been in the men’s category.

In late January, Schreiner also made headlines by expressing dissatisfaction after winning a race. On her Instagram account, she lamented, “Not the race I was looking for at all this week; my spikes nearly fell off on the turn and with a poor start my time wasn’t nearly what I wanted. The good news is that the season just started, and I’m going to leave everything on the track at nationals,” showcasing both her competitive spirit and motivation.

On January 17, Schreiner dominated the 200- and 400-meter dashes at the Brockport Friday Night Rust Buster, significantly outpacing her female competitors. Her victories at this event secured automatic qualification for the All-Atlantic Regional Track and Field Championships.

In the following days, she continued to perform well, winning the 200-meter dash at the RIT Friday Meet and achieving top finishes against Liberty League rivals. These consistent performances have led her to speak out against institutions that have denied her opportunities, particularly regarding scholarship offers when she sought to transfer. In December, Schreiner criticized 25 states for implementing policies that prevent trans athletes from competing with girls and women.

She highlighted, “Among all the hurdles transfers usually have, there is an extra layer because it is trans. Fifty percent of the country banned me from participating, meaning I couldn’t attend any of those colleges even if they reached out to me with a full ride.” Her statements underscore the complexities transgender athletes face in pursuit of collegiate sports opportunities.

Amid the ongoing debate surrounding Sports and gender identity, the case of Sadie Schreiner remains a focal point. Institutional policies and NCAA regulations are under scrutiny, bringing to light the need for dialogue on fairness, inclusion, and equal opportunities in sports.

Looking Ahead: The Path to Resolution

As this situation develops, both the CWA’s complaint and RIT’s response will significantly impact future regulations and policies regarding transgender athletes in college sports. Stakeholders from various interests will continue to monitor the unfolding legal and social implications of this case, making it a pivotal moment in the intersection of athletics, gender identity, and education.