The NCAA updated its policy after US President Donald Trump declared the ‘war on women’s sports over’ by signing an executive order to prevent transgender athletes from competing in the female categories.
The order gives federal agencies latitude to withhold federal funding from athletes that does not abide by Tile IX in alignment with the Trump administration’s view, interpreting sex as something assigned at birth.
“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,” NCAA president Charlie Baker said.
“To that end, President Trump’s order provides a clear, national standard.”
The NCAA policy updated immediately and applies to all athletes from the forthcoming events.
The NCAA holds 1,100 member schools and more than 500,000 athletes, creating the largest governing body for college athletics in the U.S.
Former Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines, who has been vocal about the transgender issue, and was also mentioned by Trump during the executive order, hailed the move.
“I can’t even begin to tell you how vindicating it feels knowing no girl will ever have to experience what my teammates and I did,” Gaines posted on X shortly after the NCAA announced the policy change.
The previous NCAA policy went in to effect in 2022. It had a sport-by-sport approach.
Sia Liilii, captain of the Nevada volleyball team, said, “Women have fought long and hard for equal athletic opportunities,” Liilii said.
“By completely removing men from women’s sports, we are moving back to the true definition of Title (IX). Women are given an opportunity to champion their own sports division and shine on a fair competition floor.”