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Human rights

Transgender Sprinter Sues NCAA and SUNY Geneseo Over Barred Competition

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A 24-year-old transgender sprinter from New Jersey, Sadie Schreiner, is suing the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and SUNY Geneseo in Livingston County for denying her entry to a women's race in New York earlier this year. Schreiner claims that she was barred from competing in the women's 200-meter and 400-meter races at the Geneseo Early Invitational in March due to NCAA rules that ban trans athletes from women's sports. This lawsuit argues that those rules violate New York state's Human Rights Law, which prohibits discrimination based on gender identity or expression. Schreiner's case is the latest in a series of clashes between New York's civil rights protections and national policies.

Key Takeaways:

  • Sadie Schreiner, a 24-year-old transgender sprinter from New Jersey, is suing the NCAA and SUNY Geneseo for denying her entry to a women's race in New York earlier this year.
  • Schreiner claims that she was barred from competing in the women's 200-meter and 400-meter races at the Geneseo Early Invitational in March due to NCAA rules that ban trans athletes from women's sports.
  • The lawsuit argues that those rules violate New York state's Human Rights Law, which prohibits discrimination based on gender identity or expression.
  • Schreiner also filed a separate lawsuit against Princeton University, saying she was barred from racing in the 200-meter event at the Larry Ellis Invitational earlier this year.
  • The new, federally mandated NCAA rules were implemented following an executive order signed by President Donald Trump, which allows only student-athletes assigned female at birth to compete in women's events.
  • The NCAA's spokesperson stated that the association's policies are designed to align with federal guidelines and promote fairness in women's sports, while continuing to invest in and support Title IX.
  • A SUNY Geneseo spokesperson declined to comment on the lawsuit but said the school follows NCAA rules.

Statistics:

  • Sadie Schreiner competed in short-distance events while at the Rochester Institute of Technology.
  • The Geneseo Early Invitational took place in March.
  • The Larry Ellis Invitational, where Schreiner was barred from competing, took place earlier this year.
  • President Donald Trump signed an executive order implementing the new NCAA rules allowing only student-athletes assigned female at birth to compete in women's events.

Sources:

  • (https://gothamist.com/news/trump-administration-strips-nyc-of-millions-in-funding-because-of-trans-student-policies)
  • (https://gothamist.com/news/time-is-always-of-the-essence-nassau-county-trans-athlete-ban-faces-court-challenge)
  • (https://www.ncaa.org/news/2025/2/6/media-center-ncaa-announces-transgender-student-athlete-participation-policy-change.aspx)
  • (https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/45771150/transgender-woman-sues-princeton-removal-track-meet)

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