Concerns for NCAA Player Amid Advocacy

Kendall Kotzmacher, a collegiate softball player, has revealed she received a threat involving violence directed at her as a result of her stance against the participation of transgender athletes in women’s sports. The situation has escalated, impacting not only her but also her teammates.

The 20-year-old sophomore at Colorado Christian University, who was recently named a Courage Wins Champion by XX-XY Athletics, shared with OutKick that as her visibility has increased, so too has the backlash. “Someone actually said they were going to come to the school and kill me. That one was a little scary,” Kotzmacher expressed, detailing her experience.

She reported this threat to her school and has been keeping track of other alarming messages received over the summer. When asked about any arrests stemming from these threats, she said there have been none.

“I’ve been getting a lot of people telling me to kill myself or that I don’t deserve to be alive or that I should die. It’s really difficult to hear these things,” she remarked.

Kotzmacher expressed that knowing strangers have identified her college location increases her anxiety. “I think it’s scary that people know where I go to school—I never know if someone might show up or what could happen,” she indicated.

Additionally, the negative attention has raised concerns for her teammates who stand by her publicly. She mentioned that some individuals have targeted them by researching their names and athletic statistics based on their support for her on social media.

“I want to protect them as much as I can. I’ve been trying to ensure that most of the backlash is directed at me,” Kotzmacher said, revealing that she offered to remove her teammates’ names from her social media to shield them from negative repercussions. However, her teammates declined the offer, affirming their united support. “They said, absolutely not. We’re in this together. It’s refreshing to know they’re all in my corner, especially since I didn’t get that kind of support last year,” she recounted.

Having previously attended Western Michigan University, Kotzmacher transferred over the summer, citing inadequate coaching support and class pressures as reasons. Her advocacy began after her high school team’s close semifinal loss to a team featuring a transgender pitcher, which raised her awareness about the topic.

Now, she manages the demands of college softball and academia while also actively participating in the conversation surrounding sports eligibility. “I practice about four days a week and go to class every day, fitting in advocacy events wherever I can,” she explained. “Going to D.C. was tough because I had to miss class, but it was important to support these female athletes and then return to class as if it was just another day.” Kotzmacher spoke at a Capitol Hill news conference following a Senate Judiciary Committee session focusing on fairness and safety for female athletes.

She expressed disappointment regarding the limited participation from Democratic senators, who did not call any witnesses during the hearing. “Even if they don’t agree, they should at least listen to the real stories of actual girls who have been impacted,” she stated.

Kotzmacher has also made political endorsements, voicing support for Republican Senate candidate Michele Tafoya. She noted that Tafoya has campaigned on issues related to transgender participation in women’s sports, which resonates with her advocacy.

Through her efforts, Kotzmacher has experienced notable isolation, mentioning that many friends have distanced themselves from her. “I’ve lost a lot of friendships, and many people won’t speak to me anymore, so it’s nice to feel acknowledged,” she reflected.

Despite the challenges, Kotzmacher’s determination remains strong, as she aims to be a voice for younger girls who might face similar struggles. “I haven’t lost my voice yet. It’s easy to retreat and stay silent, but using your voice is crucial for change,” she concluded.