In The News 7 February 2025

NCAA bans men from playing in women's sports

By Dan McCaleb
The Center Square

The NCAA on Thursday banned athletes who were born male from playing in women's sports to align itself with President Donald Trump's executive order on the issue.

"Today, the NCAA announced the Board of Governors voted to update the Association's participation policy for transgender student-athletes following the Trump administration's executive order," the collegiate athletic association said in a statement posted to its website. 

"The new policy limits competition in women's sports to student-athletes assigned female at birth only."

Student-athletes assigned male at birth will still be allowed to practice with women's teams and receive certain benefits but will not be able to participate in NCAA-sanctioned competitions, the association said.

"This policy is effective immediately and applies to all student-athletes regardless of previous eligibility reviews under the NCAA's prior transgender participation policy," it said.

Trump on Wednesday signed the executive order "No Men in Women's Sports," effectively barring transgender girls and women from participating in female sports events in schools and colleges that receive federal tax dollars, fulfilling a pledge made during his 2024 presidential campaign.

​Dan McCaleb is the executive editor of The Center Square. He welcomes your comments. Contact Dan at dmccaleb@thecentersquare.com.

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