Transgender athlete sues NCAA and Swarthmore over policy changes

A transgender woman athlete from Swarthmore College has sued the NCAA and her school after she was removed from the track team under new rules on transgender athletes. Evie Parts, a long-distance runner, said she was barred from competition after the NCAA changed its policy in February. 

Parts’ lawsuit argues the NCAA lacks the legal authority to enforce such restrictions under Pennsylvania law or Title IX.

The federal statute prohibits sex-based discrimination in education programs that receive federal funding. The lawsuit argues that the NCAA’s new rules violate Title IX because they restrict opportunities for transgender athletes in women’s sports. The suit says the organization, as a private entity, cannot override federal or state law. 

Parts’ complaint also named Swarthmore’s men’s and women’s track coaches, along with the school’s athletic director and other athletic officials. Parts contends their actions contributed to a depressive state that left her feeling suicidal.

“As stated in the complaint, the NCAA is a private organization that issued a bigoted policy,” said Susie Cirilli, one of Parts’ attorneys. “Swarthmore College chose to follow that policy and disregard federal and state law.” 

Before February, the NCAA allowed transgender athletes to compete on women’s teams if they met certain requirements, including hormone therapy guidelines. 

NCAA policy changes

On Feb. 6, NCAA President Charlie Baker said the organization changed its rules to create consistency for its more than 500,000 student-athletes and 1,100 member colleges. He cited an executive order issued under President Donald Trump.

The order described transgender women as men and argued that allowing male participation in women’s sports is unfair and violates Title IX protections for women and girls. It threatened to cut off federal funding for schools or programs that did not comply.

NCAA’s policy says women’s sports are reserved for athletes assigned female at birth. While it allows athletes assigned male at birth to practice with women’s teams and to receive related benefits such as medical care, they may not compete.

The change took effect immediately and applied to all student-athletes, regardless of previous eligibility decisions under the NCAA’s earlier policy on transgender participation.

Swarthmore’s response

In a statement, Swarthmore said it recognizes the challenges transgender athletes may face.

“We worked to support Evie Parts in a time of rapidly evolving guidance, while balancing the ability of other members of the women’s track team to compete in NCAA events,” the college said. “Given the pending litigation, we will not comment further.”

Parts’ athletic history and reinstatement

According to the lawsuit, Parts transitioned in high school and enrolled at Swarthmore College in the fall of 2020, joining the women’s cross country and track teams. She did not compete immediately because of COVID-19 cancellations and recovery from gender-affirmation surgery.

The lawsuit says Parts began competing for Swarthmore in 2023 during her final two years of college and was named captain of the women’s track and field team in fall 2024.

After the NCAA changed its policy on transgender athletes, Swarthmore reportedly offered her two options: compete in men’s events or compete unattached. The filing says that competing unattached meant Parts could not access coaching, travel support, financial assistance or medical care from the college.

The lawsuit notes that Parts was reinstated to the women’s track and field team on April 11, after competing unattached in two meets.

The NCAA declined to comment on pending litigation.