Transgender Runner Sadie Schreiner Sues NCAA and SUNY Geneseo, Alleging Discrimination Over Race Ban

Sadie Schreiner, a transgender woman who competed as a runner for the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) during the 2023–2024 season, has initiated lawsuits against both SUNY Geneseo and the NCAA after being denied entry into women’s track events at the Early Invitational held in March 2025. Schreiner’s exclusion occurred despite her attainment of qualifying times for the women’s 200-meter and 400-meter races, prompting legal action that intersects with evolving NCAA policy and New York’s anti-discrimination laws .

The complaint, filed under the New York Human Rights Law, contends that SUNY Geneseo violated state protections by excluding Schreiner “because she is a transgender woman.” According to Schreiner’s attorney, Susie Cirilli, “the track meet at issue was open to members of the public. SUNY Geneseo violated New York state law when it excluded Sadie because she is a transgender woman” . Schreiner registered for the invitational as an independent athlete, not representing any university or club, a status that has historically permitted participation irrespective of NCAA institutional affiliation .

Schreiner’s complaint seeks both emotional distress and punitive damages, arguing that state law supersedes the NCAA’s recently-updated eligibility rules for transgender athletes. In February 2025, the NCAA enacted a ban preventing transgender women from competing in women’s sports, citing a directive that “a student-athlete assigned male at birth may not compete on a women’s team” . Schreiner’s legal team asserts that, as she was competing “unattached” — not representing RIT or any other institution — the NCAA rule should not have been enforced in this context .

The suit references multiple instances where college students have participated in meets as “unattached” athletes, supporting the argument that Schreiner’s exclusion was unwarranted. According to the complaint, Schreiner’s qualifying times placed her among the top competitors, and she had previously won the 200-meter invitational race in 2024 .

The NCAA’s policy change followed an executive order signed by President Donald Trump, which sought to bar transgender women from participation in girls’ and women’s sports at the national level. This federal action has fueled a contentious debate across the United States, with over two dozen states enacting legislation restricting transgender athletes’ participation in certain sporting events . Some of these state-level bans have been challenged and blocked in court, highlighting the complex landscape of athletic eligibility for transgender individuals.

The NCAA’s own regulations stipulate that, where a conflict arises between its policies and local, state, or federal law, institutions should defer to the applicable legislation — a point central to Schreiner’s legal argument .

Sadie Schreiner’s lawsuit against SUNY Geneseo and the NCAA is part of broader efforts to contest her exclusion from collegiate track events. Schreiner has also filed suit against Princeton University, alleging similar discrimination after being removed from a race at the Larry Ellis Invitational in May 2025. In both cases, Schreiner was registered as an unattached athlete and had met qualifying standards, yet was barred from competing on the basis of her gender identity .

In her case against Princeton, Schreiner claims she was told, “I do not want to assume, but you are transgender,” by university officials, a statement the university denies. The complaint seeks a trial by jury, compensatory and punitive damages, and a judicial declaration of unlawful discrimination under New Jersey law, which also protects individuals from gender identity-based bias in areas of public accommodation .

The exclusion of Schreiner has sparked discussion within the LGBTQ+ community, as well as among advocates for fair participation in sports. Organizations dedicated to LGBTQ+ rights and inclusive athletics have underscored the emotional toll and public scrutiny faced by transgender athletes navigating shifting policies and legal battles. Schreiner’s attorney, Susie Cirilli, who has represented other transgender athletes in related cases, stated, “The defendants' individual actions were intolerable in a civilized community and go beyond the possible bounds of decency” .

Schreiner herself described the experience as “humiliating, dehumanizing and dignity-stripping,” emphasizing the public nature of her exclusion and its impact on her well-being and family . The lawsuits invoke state-level human rights laws designed to protect marginalized groups from discrimination, arguing that such protections must supersede institutional or organizational regulations where conflicts arise .

The outcome of Schreiner’s legal actions could have significant implications for the participation of transgender athletes in collegiate sports, particularly in states with robust anti-discrimination statutes. The cases highlight the tension between national athletic policies and local legal protections, and may influence future NCAA decision-making as well as state-level enforcement of human rights legislation.

As the lawsuits proceed, LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations continue to call for clear, inclusive, and fair standards that protect the rights of transgender athletes while ensuring the integrity of competitive sports. The ongoing debate remains a focal point for both policymakers and the broader public, with the potential to shape the future of athletic participation and gender inclusion in the United States.