In Indianapolis, the NCAA made a significant change to its participation policy for transgender student-athletes on February 6, 2025. This decision came just one day after an executive order was signed by former President Trump, which aimed to restrict transgender girls and women from participating in sports teams that align with their gender identity.
The order required that Title IX, a federal law intended to protect individuals from gender discrimination in education, be interpreted to bar transgender females from competing in women’s sports. Trump stated that institutions that do not comply with his order could risk losing any federal funding they receive. In response to this development, the NCAA’s board convened and updated its participation policy.
NCAA President Charlie Baker expressed the organization’s commitment to developing clear and uniform eligibility standards for student-athletes across the nation. He noted that the NCAA comprises over 1,100 colleges and universities and represents more than 530,000 student-athletes nationwide. Baker emphasized that the newly established standards aim to create a consistent framework instead of a confusing mix of varying state laws and court rulings.
According to the updated policy, competition in women’s sports will now be restricted to those who were assigned female at birth. Additionally, any female-assigned athletes who start hormone therapy, such as testosterone, will no longer be able to compete in women’s teams. However, the policy also allows student-athletes assigned male at birth to practice with women’s teams and access benefits like medical care while practicing.
It is important to note that student-athletes may now compete in men’s sports regardless of their sex assigned at birth or their gender identity. The NCAA has stated that these changes are effective immediately, impacting all student-athletes regardless of their previous eligibility status.
This policy adjustment arrives in the broader societal context of ongoing discussions about gender identity and rights, particularly in the sphere of sports. As the NCAA continues to navigate these complex issues, the recent updates represent a notable shift in how the association addresses the participation of transgender individuals in collegiate athletics.
