Latest news with #Swarthmore
UPI
3 hours ago
- Politics
- UPI
Transgender student runner sues Swarthmore track, NCAA
This year has been one in which trans issues have been at the forefront, especially given President Donald Trump's executive order banning trans athletes from competing in women's sports. On Thursday, Evelyn "Evie" Parts, a long-distance runner on Swarthmore College's track and cross-country teams from 2023 to 2025, filed a lawsuit saying the NCAA was "bigoted" in its actions. File Photo (2025) by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo Aug. 18 (UPI) -- A former transgender athlete is suing Swarthmore College and the NCAA after her brief removal from the school's track and field team for women. Evelyn "Evie" Parts, a long-distance runner on Swarthmore's track and cross-country teams from 2023 until her 2025 graduation, filed a lawsuit Thursday in Pennsylvania's Eastern District, saying the NCAA was "bigoted" and subjected trans women to "segregation and ridicule." The suit against its athletic department and NCAA added that Swarthmore officials "blatantly" denied her the right to compete, which was, according to the lawsuit, "outrageous, reckless and wanton misconduct in violation of state and federal" Title IX rights. It alleged Swarthmore coaching staff pushed Parts into "such a depressive state that she engaged in self-harm and in one moment told a friend that she wanted to kill herself," court documents state. Parts transitioned as a junior in high school and enrolled in 2020 at Swarthmore near Philadelphia. The suit comes after February's executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump that banned transgender women from competing in women's sports. On Friday, a lawyer for Parts said they "stand by the allegations in the complaint." "The NCAA is a private organization that issued a bigoted policy," attorney Susan Cirilli told ESPN. "Swarthmore chose to follow that policy and disregard federal and state law," Cirilli added. In a statement, the Pennsylvania college said it "deeply values our transgender community members and the many ways they enrich campus life," adding that school officials "worked to support" 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." "We recognize that this is an especially difficult and painful time for members of the transgender community, including student-athletes," school officials said in their statement. Swarthmore stated given the pending litigation that the school "will not comment any further" on the matter. Parts' complaint requests punitive damages and reimbursement for time as an unattached athlete.
The Hill
5 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Transgender athlete sues NCAA, Swarthmore College for track team removal
A former Swarthmore College athlete is suing her alma mater, members of its athletic department and the NCAA after she was briefly removed from participating on the school's women's track and field team because she is transgender. Evie Parts, a long-distance runner who competed for Swarthmore's women's cross-country and track and field teams from 2023 until her graduation in 2025, claims the school and the NCAA discriminated against her and violated her Title IX rights in ousting her from the team in February, after the NCAA issued a policy barring transgender women from participating in women's college sports in response to an executive order from President Trump. Parts's lawsuit, filed Thursday in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, says the NCAA policy is 'bigoted' and subjects transgender women 'to segregation and ridicule.' Swarthmore, the lawsuit states, 'blatantly' denied Parts her right to compete, constituting 'outrageous, reckless and wanton misconduct in violation of state and federal law.' Through its coaching staff, Swarthmore pushed Parts 'into such a depressive state that she engaged in self-harm and in one moment told a friend that she wanted to kill herself,' the lawsuit alleges. In an emailed statement, Swarthmore said it 'deeply values our transgender community members and the many ways they enrich campus life.' 'We recognize that this is an especially difficult and painful time for members of the transgender community, including student-athletes,' the school said in its statement. '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.' 'Given the pending litigation, we will not comment any further,' Swarthmore said. The NCAA did not return a request for comment. According to Parts's lawsuit, she transitioned as a junior in high school and enrolled at Swarthmore in 2020. She 'fully participated' as a member of the school's varsity women's cross-country and track and field teams during her first year, but there were no competitions because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Parts chose not to compete in 2021 and 2022 while preparing for and recovering from gender-affirmation surgery. She rejoined the women's cross-country team in 2023 but suffered a running-related injury and only competed in two meets. She competed in just one meet during the winter indoor track season because of the same injury, and in four meets during the spring outdoor track season. In 2024, Parts competed as a member of the women's cross-country team and was named one of four captains of the women's track team that winter. After the NCAA instituted its new policy for transgender athletes on Feb. 6, Swarthmore gave Parts two options: run for the men's team or run unattached to the college, forgoing her ability to receive coaching, medical or financial support from Swarthmore. Parts competed unattached for two meets before the school fully reinstated her as a member of the women's track team on April 11, according to the lawsuit. She raced in three meets before her graduation in May. The complaint requests that Parts be reimbursed for the money she spent as an unattached athlete, as well as consequential and punitive damages.
NBC News
11 hours ago
- Politics
- NBC News
Transgender runner sues NCAA and Swarthmore College for track team removal
Long-distance runner Evie Parts has sued the NCAA and Swarthmore College as well as members of its athletic department, saying they illegally removed her from the track team because she is a transgender athlete. Parts' lawsuit said the NCAA's ban on transgender athletes in women's sports did not have legal grounds because it's not a governmental organization and therefore does not have jurisdiction over Pennsylvania state law or the Title IX federal statute. She was removed from the team on Feb. 6, the day the NCAA issued its new policy on transgender athletes. Swarthmore men's and women's track coach Peter Carroll, athletic director Brad Koch and athletics officials Christina Epps-Chiazor and Valerie Gomez also were named in the lawsuit. According to the complaint, they sent Parts into "such a depressive state that she engaged in self-harm and in one moment told a friend that she wanted to kill herself." "We stand by the allegations in the complaint," said Susie Cirilli, an attorney who along with co-counsel Spector, Gadon, Rosen and Vinci, represents Parts. "As stated in the complaint, the NCAA is a private organization that issued a bigoted policy. Swarthmore College chose to follow that policy and disregard federal and state law." Swarthmore issued a statement that it "deeply values our transgender community members." "We recognize that this is an especially difficult and painful time for members of the transgender community, including student-athletes," the school said. "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. Given the pending litigation, we will not comment any further." The NCAA chose not to comment. The NCAA changed its participation policy for transgender athletes to limit competition in women's sports to athletes assigned female at birth. That change came a day after President Donald Trump signed an executive order intended to ban transgender athletes from girls' and women's sports. Pennsylvania's state Senate approved a bill by a 32-18 margin on May 6 to ban transgender athletes from competing in women's and girls' sports at the collegiate and K-12 levels. The state's Democratic-controlled House of Representatives isn't expected to vote on the bill. Parts joined the Swarthmore track team in fall 2020 before then taking off the following four winter and spring seasons. She went back to the Division III team in 2023 to compete in the indoor and outdoor track seasons and in cross country. When the NCAA issued its ban, the lawsuit states, Parts was told by Epps-Chiazor and Gomez that she could compete with the men's team or as an unattached athlete. She would only receive medical treatment, the complaint says, if she competed on the men's team. According to the lawsuit, Carroll and his staff were not allowed to coach Parts, she could not travel with the team, was not allowed to receive per diem or food and had to pay her way into meets. Parts also couldn't wear a Swarthmore uniform. Swarthmore "fully reinstated" Parts on April 11, the lawsuit says, and she competed on the women's team until graduating in May. In July, a transgender woman sued Princeton University claiming she was illegally removed shortly before her race in a school-hosted track meet in May due to her gender identity. Sadie Schreiner, who had transitioned during high school, had previously run for Division III Rochester Institute of Technology but was set to compete as an athlete unattached to any school or club in the Larry Ellis Invitational. That complaint seeks unspecified damages for a "humiliating, dehumanizing and dignity-stripping ordeal" in front of family and friends.
Boston Globe
2 days ago
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Transgender runner Evie Parts sues NCAA and Swarthmore College for removal from track team
Swarthmore men's and women's track coach Peter Carroll, athletic director Brad Koch and athletics officials Christina Epps-Chiazor and Valerie Gomez also were named in the lawsuit. According to the complaint, they sent Parts into 'such a depressive state that she engaged in self-harm and in one moment told a friend that she wanted to kill herself.' Advertisement 'We stand by the allegations in the complaint,' said Susie Cirilli, an attorney who along with co-counsel Spector, Gadon, Rosen and Vinci, represents Parts. 'As stated in the complaint, the NCAA is a private organization that issued a bigoted policy. Swarthmore College chose to follow that policy and disregard federal and state law.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Swarthmore issued a statement that it 'deeply values our transgender community members.' 'We recognize that this is an especially difficult and painful time for members of the transgender community, including student-athletes,' the school said. '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. Given the pending litigation, we will not comment any further.' Advertisement The NCAA chose not to comment. The NCAA changed its participation policy for transgender athletes to limit competition in women's sports to athletes assigned female at birth. That change came a day after President Donald Trump signed an executive order intended to ban transgender athletes from girls' and women's sports. Pennsylvania's state Senate approved a bill by a 32-18 margin on May 6 to ban transgender athletes from competing in women's and girls' sports at the collegiate and K-12 levels. The state's Democratic-controlled House of Representatives isn't expected to vote on the bill. Parts joined the Swarthmore track team in fall 2020 before then taking off the following four winter and spring seasons. She went back to the Division III team in 2023 to compete in the indoor and outdoor track seasons and in cross country. When the NCAA issued its ban, the lawsuit states, Parts was told by Epps-Chiazor and Gomez that she could compete with the men's team or as an unattached athlete. She would only receive medical treatment, the complaint says, if she competed on the men's team. According to the lawsuit, Carroll and his staff were not allowed to coach Parts, she could not travel with the team, was not allowed to receive per diem or food and had to pay her way into meets. Parts also couldn't wear a Swarthmore uniform. Swarthmore 'fully reinstated' Parts on April 11, the lawsuit says, and she competed on the women's team until graduating in May. In July, a transgender woman sued Princeton University claiming she was illegally removed shortly before her race in a school-hosted track meet in May due to her gender identity. Sadie Schreiner, who had transitioned during high school, had previously run for Division III Rochester Institute of Technology but was set to compete as an athlete unattached to any school or club in the Larry Ellis Invitational. That complaint seeks unspecified damages for a 'humiliating, dehumanizing and dignity-stripping ordeal' in front of family and friends. Advertisement
Fox News
2 days ago
- Sport
- Fox News
Swarthmore responds to lawsuit alleging it put trans athlete back on women's track team after NCAA rule change
Swarthmore College has responded to a lawsuit filed by transgender track and field athlete Evelyn Parts that alleges the school removed Parts from the women's team after the NCAA changed its rules to prohibit males from competing in women's sports, but later added Parts back to the team despite the new rules. Parts filed the lawsuit this week, becoming the third trans athlete in the span of a month to sue a U.S. college for being removed from a women's team. Swarthmore provided a statement to Fox News Digital in response to Parts' lawsuit and the specific allegations of adding Parts back to the team after the NCAA changed its rules. "Swarthmore deeply values our transgender community members and the many ways they enrich campus life. We offer numerous resources to create a welcoming, supportive and inclusive environment for transgender individuals. We recognize that this is an especially difficult and painful time for members of the transgender community, including student-athletes," the statement said. "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. Given the pending litigation, we will not comment any further." Parts alleged the school said Parts could no longer compete on the women's team in February, the same month the NCAA changed its gender eligibility policy after President Donald Trump signed the "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports" executive order. Parts' lawsuit also claims the trans athlete was "fully reinstated" to the Swarthmore women's track team April 11. Parts claims to have been allowed to compete on the women's team until graduating in May, even after the policy changes and Trump's executive order went into effect. Parts is listed as the winner of the women's 10,000 meters at the Bill Butler Invitational in April and as a participant in the Paul Donahue Invite that same month and the Centennial Championships in early May, according to the athlete's Swarthmore Athletics page. Parts' attorney, Susie Cirilli, previously provided a statement to Fox News Digital addressing the lawsuit. "We stand by the allegations in the complaint. As stated in the complaint, the NCAA is a private organization that issued a bigoted policy. Swarthmore chose to follow that policy and disregard federal and state law," Cirilli said. Swarthmore would not be the first school to allow a biological male to compete in women's sports after the NCAA rule change, if the allegations are true. Ithaca College in New York admitted to allowing a trans athlete to compete in a Division III rowing competition in March. The trans athlete competed in the Cayuga Duals, but only in the third varsity eight event, which is not factored into NCAA championship qualification. Ithaca provided a statement to Fox News Digital saying the trans athlete's participation was due to a "misunderstanding" by the coaching staff. The NCAA provided a statement to Fox News Digital addressing Ithaca's breach of policy. "The policy is clear that there are no waivers available, and students assigned male at birth may not compete on a women's team with amended birth certificates or other forms of ID," the NCAA said. "If competition occurs, the team will be considered a mixed team and not eligible to compete against women's teams. Ithaca stated their intent to adhere to the policy, which allows for practice opportunities, and the NCAA appreciates Ithaca's responsiveness." The NCAA did not indicate whether results from the event would be voided or if Ithaca would face any consequences. Former President Joe Biden had an executive order in place that protected the rights of trans athletes to compete in women's sports, and the NCAA's previous policy enabled trans athletes. The participation of former University of Pennsylvania trans swimmer Lia Thomas and former San Jose State trans volleyball player Blaire Fleming prompted multiple lawsuits against those institutions and the NCAA, led by Riley Gaines, Brooke Slusser and multiple former UPenn women's swimmers. Trans athlete Sadie Schreiner, who Cirilli is also representing in a lawsuit against Princeton University, was previously allowed to compete for Rochester Institute of Technology's (RIT) women's track and field team for two years before the February NCAA rule change. Former RIT women's track runner Caroline Hill joined Gaines' lawsuit against the NCAA, citing her experience competing with and sharing a locker room with Schreiner. Trump's Department of Education has already taken action against multiple universities over incidents of trans inclusion in women's sports prior to Trump's executive order. The DOE reached an agreement with UPenn over Thomas' participation in women's swimming in early July. The university agreed to expunge the trans athlete's records and apologize to all the female athletes affected by Thomas' presence on the women's team. Earlier in August, the DOE reached an agreement with Wagner College for a similar resolution regarding former trans fencer Redmond Sullivan. The DOE's investigation into San Jose State over the Fleming controversy is ongoing. Fox News Digital has reached out to the NCAA for comment on Parts' lawsuit.
