“Only students whose biological sex* is female may participate in NAIA-sponsored female sports.”
That was the decision that passed unanimously by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, or the NAIA, on April 8, 2024.This decision only applies to female sports, as stated in the press release, “All eligible NAIA student-athletes may participate in NAIA-sponsored male sports.”
As Goshen College, a member of the Crossroads League, tries to walk the fine line between upholding the integrity of women’s sports, and still providing equal opportunities for everyone, one question has yet to be asked, how do student-athletes here at Goshen College feel about the policy?
Last year during the spring semester, a poll was sent out to all 240 student athletes at Goshen College, asking questions on how they feel about the policy. Out of those 240, 56 athletes responded. Looking at the gender breakdown 28 identified themselves as female, 27 identified themselves as male, and 1 gender fluid, trans masculine person responded.
When getting into the difficult questions of the survey, the answers became more interesting. When asked if they agreed with the NAIA’s policy regarding male designated sports, 45 people agreed with the decision, six disagreed and five had no opinion.
When asked if they agreed with the new policy regarding female designated sports, 41 agreed, 14 disagreed and one had no opinion.
Of the 28 total female respondents, 71%, or 20, agreed with the policy on female designated sports. 75%, or 21 respondents agreed with the policy regarding male designated sports.
Of the 27 male respondents, 74%, or 20, agreed with the policy on female designated sports. 89%, or 24 respondents agreed with the policy on male designated sports.
Many respondents chose to add comments anonymously, voicing opinions they may not have been comfortable sharing otherwise. Here are a few of the anonymous responses:
“I am all for trans rights but I do think that physically trans women are more of an advantage than non-trans women.”
“Male sports should be for males in the same way that female sports are for females.”
“From what I have read, I don’t think any changes should be made. I liked how the NAIA has highlighted that only biological women can participate in female sports.”
Others offered compromises or solutions, looking to the Olympic Committies’s policies on transgender athletes, or simply requesting more research be done before a decision is made.
“I think to be more inclusive to transgender people, NAIA could create transgender leagues, therefore giving the option for transgenders to decide whether they would want to play in their biological sex league or a transgender league.”
“I think the policy should be similar to the Olympics where a transgender woman’s testosterone level is tested and they can compete if they meet a certain threshold of testosterone.”
“I think there should be way more research done regarding the effects of hormone therapy.”
Camryn Barrows, a sophomore softball player and exercise science major who agreed with both the male and female policies, said, “If you’re biologically male, you should play a male sport. If you’re biologically female, you should play a female sport.”
Chris Godden, a junior exercise major and baseball player, agreed with Barrow’s thoughts, saying, “Women don’t have a biological advantage when it comes to sports, but men would if they were to play with women.”
Senior cross country and track and field runner Aaron Yeakey, who agreed with the male policy, but disagreed with the female policy said, “NAIA female trans athletes should be able to compete in their chosen division under the requirements of hormone replacement therapy and continual testing.”
Goshen College President Rebecca Stoltzfus released a statement the day of the decision, but that statement didn’t offer a stance of the college, saying, “Goshen College remains a committed member of the NAIA as we seek to support all of our students.
