Two volleyball players from a Colorado high school faced the prospect of being benched after they talked about a transgender athlete in their team. A complaint from a parent claims these girls were ultimately allowed to play, but only if they refrained from discussing the matter. The Jefferson County Schools district, which oversees their school, is currently being investigated under Title IX by the U.S. Department of Education.
An email screenshot, which was obtained by OutKick, shows Dakota Ridge High School’s head volleyball coach informing a parent that the parent’s daughter would miss a match due to alleged bullying. The email doesn’t specify the actual language that was reported.
“In recent days, we’ve received several complaints about your daughter using language toward her teammates that could be seen as bullying,” the coach’s message reads.
“Because of this, your daughter won’t be able to participate in today’s match.”
A strong emphasis on character and respect within the volleyball program is mentioned in the communication, which describes the reported behavior as not meeting those standards. The coach offered to discuss the issue further with the parent after the match.
Meanwhile, Tanna Donalson, whose daughter was removed from the team in August, sent an email on October 6 to the district asserting that her daughter reported two varsity players being told they would be benched for having conversations about the situation with friends. Donalson explained that after these players’ parents met with the coach and athletic director, the girls were permitted to play but had to agree not to talk about the issue anymore.
The email, which was seen by OutKick, is part of a Title IX complaint Donalson filed with the Education Department.
Donalson quoted her daughter saying, “Mr. Zeman pulled three varsity volleyball players aside and told two of them they would be benched for today’s game because they had discussed this issue amongst themselves. Four friends were talking in private, and one of them told a teacher about it. I was later informed that after the two players’ parents talked to the athletic director and Mr. Zeman, they could play but only if they didn’t discuss the issue again.”
Donalson has requested an investigation into what was said, the reasons for the benching, and whether the players’ participation hinged on ceasing their discussions or support for her complaint.
Lindsay Datko, founder of the parent advocacy group Jeffco Kids First, noted she had reviewed emails regarding the discipline threats.
“We’ve seen emails that indicate girls felt pressured not to express their frustrations, which is quite common at that age,” Datko remarked to OutKick, while also indicating that the coach eventually retreated from the threat of benching.
Julie Tolleson, Chief Legal Counsel for Jeffco, acknowledged Donalson’s report in an email response dated October 6.
She indicated that Donalson could include the matter in her review, although specific discussions about disciplinary actions regarding other students could not be made.
In a previous communication, Tolleson had encouraged Donalson to report any instances of retaliation or harassment tied to her complaint, stating clearly that district policy prohibits retaliation.
When asked about the situation, Jeffco defended its policies, citing privacy rules for students. However, it did not address the alleged conditions placed on the players’ participation or clarify the remarks that led to the proposed discipline.
The district provided a statement reiterating its dedication to a safe and equitable environment for all students, in compliance with Colorado laws.
They affirmed their commitment to fostering an inclusive atmosphere for all students, regardless of gender identity. The district emphasized that it would continue adhering to state laws and regulations concerning athletics and student rights.
Donalson’s complaint also revolves around her daughter’s removal from the team, which occurred during her junior year. Her daughter had previously participated in the program during her freshman and sophomore years. Donalson stated that coaches had encouraged her daughter to work on certain skills before ultimately making the decision to cut her from the roster.
In an email from August 13, the coach characterized the decision as a collective evaluation by the coaching team, noting that other athletes displayed more consistency in key areas.
Donalson sought a different placement for her daughter at school and was offered the option to switch teachers for the second semester. She mentioned wanting to take time before making any decisions and expressly stated she was not alleging any classroom retaliation.
When asked whether there had been any retaliation since speaking out, Donalson mentioned that her daughter faced some comments from fellow students but observed that they had received significantly more support than opposition.
“We really have been met with far more support than negativity,” she noted.
The Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights had found that the district violated Title IX in its policies concerning female athletics and access to facilities. This led to a notice of enforcement action, which Jeffco disputes.
The district has since filed a lawsuit against the Education Secretary and the Department, challenging these enforcement actions and asserting that they conflict with Colorado law, which could potentially jeopardize their funding. This legal case focuses on the broader policy implications rather than the specific decision about Donalson’s daughter’s roster placement.
Colorado voters will vote on Proposition 134 on November 3, which would mandate school teams be classified based on biological sex, with allowances for females to join male teams if no female equivalent exists.
Donalson expressed that she does not oppose the transgender community or any community, in general, when asked about the proposition.
For Donalson and her daughter, the impact of the situation has been significant, affecting her daughter’s aspirations for college volleyball.
“She is still hopeful about those dreams, but it’s tough to see how we’ll navigate this,” Donalson explained, emphasizing that, as this is her daughter’s junior year—crucial for connecting with coaches—they currently have little to communicate.
While her daughter still aims to play club volleyball and seek collegiate opportunities, missing her school season has impacted her overall enjoyment of the game.
“Every time she plays, it reminds her of everything that’s happened, which has somewhat dimmed the joy she used to find in it,” Donalson added.
