Duval Times

On August 7, 2024, Senator Rick Scott joined Senator Marsha Blackburn and 21 of their Republican colleagues in sending a letter urging National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) President Charlie Baker to update the student-athlete policy to ensure only biologically female students can participate in women’s sports.

Joining Senators Scott and Blackburn on the letter are Senators Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), John Thune (R-S.D.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Bill Cassidy(R-La.), Thom Tillis(R-N.C.) and Roger Marshall(R-Kan.).

The senators wrote, “Amid the Biden-Harris administration’s unprecedented assault on Title IX, we write to urge the National Collegiate Athletic Association(NCAA) to update your student-athlete participation policy to require that only biologically female students participate in women’s sports. The 2024 Summer Olympics are upon us, and the NCAA has boasted about its athletes’ participation. Yet the NCAA has still taken no steps to protecting a critical portion of these athletes. Several organizations—including the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics(NAIA) and the Court of Arbitration for Sport—in addition to more than 20 states, have acted recently to protect women’s sports. We urge the NCAA to follow suit and take similar action to promote fair play.”

This letter has been endorsed by Riley Gaines, Concerned Women for America, Heritage Action, Independent Council on Women’s Sports, Independent Women's Forum, Independent Women's Law Center, Champion Women, Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, and Our Bodies Our Sports Coalition.

Former NCAA All-American swimmer Riley Gaines said,“In conjunction with the Biden-Harris administration,the NCAA has turned their back on women by disregarding Title IX and its original intent. It's unfair,it’s unsafe,and it's discriminatory.I’m grateful to Senator Blackburn and every Senator who has joined this effort to fight for our rights to equal opportunity privacy,and safety.This is the civil rights issue of our time.”

Penny Nance CEO & President of Concerned Women for America said,“Men and women are different.Period.Title IX was implemented because of that reality,in order to give women the same opportunities in sports as their male counterparts.But now those opportunities are being ripped away from them because of men who are identifying as female and organizations like the NCAA who are allowing them compete against women.The NCAA says it supports its female athletes-it's time that those words were followed by actions.”

Ryan Walker Executive Vice President Heritage Action said,“Men do not belong in women's sports.This obvious truth is based in science and backed by vast majority of Americans.By giving men access women's spaces teams,NCAA is violating its responsibility protect student athletes from unsafe unfair competition.The integrity college sports hinges on NCAA resolve do right thing put rights female athletes above political pandering.”

Marshi Smith & Kim Jones Co-Founders Independent Council on Women’s Sports(ICONS)said,”The infiltration men women's sports attack fundamental principles fair ethical competition.ICONS stands fully behind Senator Blackburn's letter calls NCAA follow lead NAIA taking immediate decisive action protect rights female athletes.”

Carrie Lukas President/Independent Women's Forum May Mailman Director/Independent Women's Law Center said,”The NCAA touts Emerging Sports For Women Program other programs meant encourage female athletes' achievements all while embracing policies continue erase them.NCAA rejected pleas from more than 7000 NCAA athletes demands from women’s rights organizations feminist organizations,sports organizations,female Olympians lawyers urging NCAA take immediate action repeal discriminatory policy allows male athletes compete women's sports-taking trophies roster spots playing time resources opportunities compete from women girls.Independent Women's Forum Independent Women's Law Center grateful members Congress know this unjust asking NCAA do right thing.”

Nancy Hogshead J.D.,OLY Founder CEO Champion Women said,”I was at NCCAA meeting when Pat Griffin Helen Carroll presented transgender inclusion policy adoption.We were told one year cross-sex hormones would remove male advantage from men wanted compete with women.We were assured science conclusive Years later we now know science relied wrong newer research shows no amount hormones surgery roll back male athletic advantage.NCAA should recognize well-established science change policy protect women's sports."

Hannah Daniel Director Public Policy Ethics Religious Liberty Commission Southern Baptist Convention said,"Both biblical understanding God design gender sexuality mounting scientific evidence underscore necessity protecting women sports.When biological realities ignored,women ones suffer.Ethics Religious Liberty Commission supports Senator Blackburn leadership important topic urges NCCAA protect safety fairness women's sports."