The cultural tides might be turning. A transgender athlete who earned All-American honors in NCAA Division III track is facing challenges in attempts to transfer to Division I programs, highlighting growing hesitancy among universities regarding transgender participation in women’s sports.
Sadie Schreiner, a biological male who competes in women’s track at Rochester Institute of Technology, reached out to 42 Division I universities but found doors largely closed, even in states without restrictions on transgender athletes.
“After entering the transfer portal, it quickly became clear that among all the hurdles transfers usually have, there is an extra layer because I was trans,” Schreiner said in a Monday Instagram video. “Fifty percent of the country banned me from participating, and that meant I couldn’t attend any of those colleges even if they reached out to me with full rides.”
Even in states permitting transgender athlete participation, Schreiner encountered resistance at the administrative level. “It also became clear that even in the states that did, no matter how adamant the coaches were to have me on their teams, the college administrations would usually stop them from allowing me to participate,” Schreiner explained.
Tennis legend Martina Navratilova responded to Schreiner’s situation on social media, stating: “Please keep documenting. You are free to compete. In the male category. Very simple. And also fair.”
The development comes amid ongoing debate about transgender participation in women’s sports. The NCAA faces a lawsuit filed by 19 female athletes claiming Title IX violations for allowing male-born athletes to compete in women’s categories based on gender identity.
During the 2023-24 track season, Schreiner set records and won multiple titles but placed third in the 200-meter and eighth in the 400-meter races at the NCAA Division III Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Championship.
“Trans people are being attacked right now and our rights are being stripped away and those in power are either endorsing this or they’re just letting it happen,” Schreiner said. “But we’re not going anywhere. I’m not going anywhere. And I’m sure, come this January, you’ll see me again competing on the track.”
Schreiner is currently not listed on Rochester’s 2024-25 women’s track-and-field roster.
