University of Washington steeped in controversy over transgender volleyball player

SEATTLE (TND) — The University of Washington is facing controversy for its handling of a transgender women's volleyball recruit.

A report from Breitbart News, citing women’s sports advocate Riley Gaines, says the university rescinded an offer to a 16-year-old to play on its women’s volleyball team. The National Desk (TND) has not been able to independently verify that report.

The 16-year-old had previously verbally committed to the program and was reportedly set to receive one of its 12 Division 1 athletic scholarships. She was the 2023 California Interscholastic Federation Division 5 player of the year and had competed on the girl’s team in high school, Reduxx reported.

The father of the 16-year-old declined to comment on the situation when reached over the phone by TND Wednesday.

University of Washington Assistant Director of Athletic Communications Michael Bruscas told TND the school cannot comment on the reports.

NCAA rules prohibit universities from commenting on any student-athlete who has not signed a letter of intent, regardless of whether they are being actively recruited or not, even in instances where media reports are claiming that a verbal commitment has been made,” Bruscas said.

The University of Washington volleyball team's X profile was listed as protected as of Wednesday afternoon.

Transgender athletes have long been a controversial subject in women’s athletics. Parents at a youth swimming competition in Canada this month called police to report a 50-year-old transgender woman who changed in the same locker rooms as young girls.

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Two transgender competitors recently took first and second place in the women’s singlespeed category at The 2023 Illinois State Cyclocross Championships. In September, the same competitors took first place at two separate Illinois cycling championships under the team name “TS-ESTRODOLLS,” a reference to the sex hormone estrogen.

Gary Collins contributed to this report.