Transgender Athlete Sues Swarthmore College and NCAA

A former athlete from Swarthmore College has filed a lawsuit against her alma mater and the NCAA, alleging that they temporarily barred women from participating in the athletics program due to her being transgender.

Evie Parts, a long-distance runner who has been part of Swarthmore’s women’s cross-country and track teams since 2023 and is set to graduate in 2025, claims that her Title IX rights were violated. She argues that the school and the NCAA discriminated against her and affected the future opportunities for women athletes based on the decisions made regarding team participation in February.

The lawsuit, submitted on Thursday in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, describes NCAA policies as “biased” and asserts that they subject transgender women to “quarantine and ridiculous” restrictions. It accuses Swarthmore of blatantly denying Parts the opportunity to compete, labeling their actions as “outrageous, reckless and unjust” misconduct in violation of both state and federal laws.

According to the suit, Parts’ coaching staff “pushed her to the point of depression,” with an incident where she confided in a friend about thoughts of self-harm.

In response, Swarthmore issued a statement saying, “We deeply appreciate the members of the trans community and recognize how they enrich campus life.” They acknowledged the difficulties faced by the trans community, particularly student-athletes, and claimed to have supported Parts amid rapidly changing guidance while also balancing the needs of the women’s track team.

Swarthmore added, “We will not comment further due to the pending lawsuit.”

The NCAA did not respond to inquiries for comment.

Parts’ lawsuit states that she started attending Swarthmore in 2020 after moving from middle school. During her freshman year, she was fully engaged in the varsity women’s cross-country and track teams, though actual competitions were canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

She opted out of competition in 2021 and 2022 to focus on recovery from gender-affirming surgery. She rejoined the women’s cross-country team in 2023 but faced a running injury, limiting her participation to two events. She also competed in one indoor track event and participated in four outdoor competitions that spring.

By 2024, Parts was part of the women’s cross-country team and was selected as one of four captains for the women’s track team that winter. Following the NCAA’s new policy for transgender athletes enacted on February 6, Swarthmore presented two alternatives: join the men’s team or team up with other athletes while receiving coaching, medical, or financial support.

Parts did not take part in two events before the school reinstated her as a member of the women’s track team on April 11. She competed in three races in May before her graduation.

The lawsuit seeks reimbursement for expenses incurred as a non-fraud athlete, as well as consequential and punitive damages.