Working group proposes changes for as early as next year
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is reviewing its policies to determine if changes are needed to officially permit transgendered athletes to compete in varsity sports. The NCAA head office is reviewing an interpretation proposed by a working group “to determine if it sufficiently addresses the issue or if there is a need for further legislation.” Under the working group’s proposal a man in the process of becoming a woman could compete on female teams so long as “that athlete has undergone testosterone suppression treatment for at least one year.” For females undergoing a transition towards becoming a male, they “must get a medical exception for the use of testosterone before being eligible to participate in intercollegiate athletics.” Testosterone is an illegal substance under NCAA rules. The change could come as early as next year.