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Transgender New Jersey sprinter sues NCAA and SUNY Geneseo over women’s race ban
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Sep 26, 2025
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By
Giulia Heyward
Published Sep 26, 2025
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A transgender sprinter from New Jersey is suing the National Collegiate Athletic Association and SUNY Geneseo in Livingston County, after she says she was barred from competing in a women’s race in New York earlier this year.
Sadie Schreiner said she was denied entry to the women’s 200-meter and 400-meter races at the Geneseo Early Invitational in March because of new, federally mandated NCAA rules that ban trans athletes from women’s sports. Her lawsuits argue that those rules violate New York state’s Human Rights Law, which prohibits discrimination based on gender identity or expression.
It’s the latest clash between New York’s civil rights protections and national policies. This month, the federal government pulled millions in funding from New York City’s magnet schools over local policies allowing trans students to access bathrooms and sports teams that match their gender identity.
Legal battles are also underway in Nassau County, where civil rights groups are challenging a new law that bars trans women and girls from playing sports at county-run facilities. Advocates say the law also violates state antidiscrimination protections.
Schreiner, who transitioned in high school and previously ran short-distance events while at the Rochester Institute of Technology, said the SUNY Geneseo track coach cited NCAA policy. That policy allows only student-athletes assigned female at birth to compete in women’s events, following an executive order signed by President Donald Trump.
“We stand by the allegations in the complaint,” said Susan M. Cirilli, Schreiner’s attorney. “The NCAA actively participated in aiding and abetting SUNY Geneseo in affecting the discrimination against Sadie.”
An NCAA spokesperson said the association’s policies are designed to align with federal guidelines and promote fairness in women’s sports, while continuing to invest in and support Title IX.
A SUNY Geneseo spokesperson declined to comment on the lawsuit but said the school follows NCAA rules.
Schreiner also filed a separate lawsuit in July against Princeton University, saying she was barred from racing in the 200-meter event at the Larry Ellis Invitational earlier this year.
Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office declined to comment, citing pending litigation.
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Giulia Heyward
Giulia Heyward is a breaking news reporter on the Day-Of desk. She previously worked at NPR, as a breaking news reporter, and the New York Times, as a reporting fellow on the national desk. Her work has also appeared in CNN, The Atlantic and Politico. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or more securely on signal at 917-715-1458.
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