(KRON) — President Donald Trump signed an executive order Wednesday aimed at banning transgender athletes from competing on girls’ and women’s sports teams.
The order states that educational institutions and athletic associations may not ignore “fundamental biological truths between the two sexes.” The Trump administration interprets “sex” as the biological gender a person was assigned at birth.
Trump’s order is titled, “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.”
San Jose State University’s women’s volleyball team found itself at the forefront of a national debate in 2024 when its team captain sued the university for allowing a transgender player on the team.
Captain Brooke Slusser said her teammate spiked the ball 80 miles per hour, faster than anyone else in the conference, according to the lawsuit. Slusser claimed the situation put players at high risk of injuries from concussions during practice and matches, as well as gave the Spartans an unfair advantage for winning.
Several teams chose to forfeit their games against the Spartans in protest.
A former SJSU volleyball player, Alyssa Sugai, left the team after the controversial player received a scholarship and took her starting spot in the lineup, according to the lawsuit. Sugai suffered from depression because “her feelings of self-worth and her dreams for her future had centered on volleyball,” the suit writes.
On Wednesday, a White House press secretary said the order will be enforced at schools.
KRON4 asked San Jose State University officials about Trump’s order. A university spokesperson issued a statement writing, “San Jose State maintains an unwavering commitment to the wellness, safety and privacy of our students, faculty and staff and to fostering a supportive and caring environment for all.”
SJSU officials did not offer further comment.
Citing Title IX, Trump authorized the U.S. Education Department to penalize schools that allow transgender athletes to compete. Trump’s order states, “In recent years, many educational institutions and athletic associations have allowed men to compete in women’s sports. This is demeaning, unfair, and dangerous to women and girls, and denies women and girls the equal opportunity to participate and excel in competitive sports. Therefore, it is the policy of the United States to rescind all funds from educational programs that deprive women and girls of fair athletic opportunities. It shall also be the policy of the United States to oppose male competitive participation in women’s sports.”
The SJSU women’s volleyball team competes in NCAA Division I.
NCAA President Charlie Baker said Trump’s order sets a “clear” national standard, and NCAA officials will align their policies with it.
Baker said on Wednesday, “We strongly believe that clear, consistent, and uniform eligibility standards would best serve today’s student-athletes instead of a patchwork of conflicting state laws and court decisions. The NCAA Board of Governors is reviewing the executive order and will take necessary steps to align NCAA policy in the coming days, subject to further guidance from the administration.”
Baker added, “We stand ready to assist schools as they look for ways to support any student-athletes affected by changes in the policy.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
(KRON) — President Donald Trump signed an executive order Wednesday aimed at banning transgender athletes from competing on girls’ and women’s sports teams. The order states that educational institutions and athletic associations may not ignore “fundamental biological truths between the two sexes.” The Trump administration interprets “sex” as the biological gender a person was assigned […]
Leave a Reply