Long-distance runner Evie Parts has filed a lawsuit against the NCAA and Swarthmore College, claiming the athlete was illegally removed from the women’s track team on February 6, the same day the NCAA issued a new policy regarding transgender athletes, according to The U.S. Sun.
The lawsuit argues that the NCAA lacked legal authority to enforce the ban, noting that the organization is not a governmental body and does not have jurisdiction over Pennsylvania state law or Title IX, the federal statute governing educational programs and activities.
The NCAA’s policy was released one day after President Donald Trump signed an executive order restricting biological males from competing in women’s sports.
According to court filings, Parts, who joined the team in 2020, experienced significant emotional distress after being removed, including a period of depression and suicidal thoughts.
Swarthmore College issued a statement emphasizing its support for transgender students: “We deeply value our transgender community members. We recognize that this is an especially difficult and painful time for members of the transgender community, including student athletes. We worked to support Evie Parts in a time of rapidly evolving guidance, while balancing the ability for other members of the women’s track team to compete in NCAA events.”
The college added that, due to the ongoing litigation, it would not provide further comment.
