Disclaimer: The names of the student-athletes interviewed for this article have been withheld at their request.
Smith College recently announced that it will abide by the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) updated policy regarding transgender student-athlete participation. It now limits competition in women’s varsity sports to athletes assigned female at birth only. The change, enacted by the NCAA on February 6, 2025 has prompted a wide range of reactions among Smith student-athletes, many of whom expressed concern about the policy’s impact on inclusivity and team values.
The NCAA’s change in policy came in response to an executive order issued by the White House on February 5, 2025. The Executive Order, titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” states that institutions receiving federal funding must reserve women’s sports categories exclusively for individuals assigned female at birth. The order cites Title IX and recent federal court decisions, arguing that allowing transgender women to compete in women’s sports deprives cisgender women of “fair athletic opportunities.” The Executive Order also directs federal agencies to rescind funding from colleges and universities that do not comply.
In a statement from the Office of College Relations, Media Relations Director Carolyn McDaniel said, “Although Smith does not agree with excluding trans athletes from varsity competition, we believe it is in the best interest of all our athletes to remain in the NCAA so that we can continue to advocate for their rights as a member organization.” McDaniel added that the college will continue working with the NCAA, legislators and peer institutions “to push back against unfair practices.”
Student-athletes across several teams shared their reactions, voicing concerns about the policy’s implications and their desire for greater inclusivity.
“It’s a huge emotional toll,” one nonbinary student-athlete said. “Already being in this state of stress from everything going on with the administration…and then having to navigate your moral compass — knowing what’s right — while also participating in the NCAA, it’s just tricky.”
Others echoed this tension between participation and principle. A sophomore athlete reflected on the harm the policy could cause: “We see trans women as teammates. Whether they’re on our team or another one, it just really hurts to think that this place, which is our safe place — sports — is becoming less safe.”
The sophomore student-athlete continued, “I want women’s sports to be welcoming to all women with open arms. That definitely includes trans women and nonbinary people.”
Though the number of athletes directly affected may be small, many emphasized the broader implications.
“The policy doesn’t even say how it’ll be enforced — it could mean hormone testing or severe violations of people’s privacy,” a senior student-athlete said. “That’s not just about trans women. That affects all of us.”
She added that “just because this only directly affects a small number of students doesn’t mean their experiences and identities aren’t valid.”
Smith athletes mentioned feeling supported by peers and coaches, while feeling that Smith as an institution could be doing more to support its students.
“There’s intention — but not enough, and not all directed in the right way,” said the nonbinary athlete. “A big concern is that this change feels like compliance. Like we’re consenting to the exclusion of trans women.”
Athletes emphasized that sports are not just about competition, but about belonging, growth and access — values they believe should extend to everyone, including trans women.
“Trans daughters need sport as much as your daughter needs sport,” the sophomore athlete said. “A trans woman doesn’t belong on a man’s team because she’s a woman.”
For many athletes, the NCAA policy not only challenges their values but also puts their teammates directly at risk. Another senior athlete spoke about a teammate who is no longer able to compete under the new rules.
“It impacts our team because we do have a person who’s affected by it,” she said. “One of our players who’s extremely skilled and who allows us to all get better as a team is no longer allowed to compete with us. Which is really, really unfortunate.”
She continued, “[My teammate] came to a place like Smith because of how accepting we are… and now she has to either figure out another place to go or just simply not compete.”
Many athletes interviewed acknowledged the efforts of Smith’s athletic department to offer support, but noted that intention alone is not enough.
“I think the athletics department is definitely doing their best to support and accommodate people,” the senior said. “Especially with all of the rules and regulations thrown at them recently.”
Still, others voiced that more inclusive decision-making is needed.
“I think the intention to support trans and nonbinary athletes was there — but the execution felt misinformed and didn’t include people from athletics,” one senior athlete said.
Others emphasized the broader implications of the policy and the danger of isolating already marginalized students.
“We have a really vulnerable population here — queer students, trans students, undocumented students — and drastic actions could put all of them at risk,” the senior added.
Despite the policy’s limitations, athletes remain committed to advocating for equity in sports. Many expressed a deep belief that athletics should be accessible and welcoming to all, regardless of gender identity.
“There’s a lot of wanting to do something, trying to find something to do,” the nonbinary athlete said. “But it never feels like enough until trans women are fully welcomed into sport.”
As student-athletes continue to grapple with the implications of the NCAA policy, many are calling not only for action, but for clarity, connection, and collective responsibility. “We need to be really diligent when consuming media and recognize that there are a lot of forces and political agendas that thrive by separating us,” one athlete said. “We need the diligence to recognize those forces and name them and overcome them by talking to each other and connecting.”
For many, that means finding strength in community while resisting oversimplified narratives. “I don’t want people to get wrapped up in that and lose sight of what tools we have now — how we can show kindness and strength now, and how we can organize responsibly in the future.”
At the same time, students acknowledge the complicated reality Smith faces. “There’s a lot of misunderstanding around what’s at stake,” one senior said. “Opposing the bill and pulling out of the NCAA means sports would cease to exist at Smith.”
For now, athletes are navigating the tension between staying in the game and staying true to their values — and hoping that, together, they can reshape the rules.
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