Virginia Attorney General Finds Evidence of Discrimination at Roanoke College Against Female Athletes
RICHMOND,va. – Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares announced today that an examination by his Office of Civil Rights has revealed reasonable cause to believe Roanoke College violated both the Virginia Human Rights Act (VHRA) and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 through discrimination and retaliation against female student-athletes based on sex. The findings stem from concerns raised by members of the women’s swim team and have been publicly acknowledged by one of the athletes involved.
“Women deserve an equal opportunity to participate in competitive sports,” stated Attorney General Miyares. “This opportunity is protected by both state and federal law. The Roanoke women swimmers faced harassment, discrimination, and retaliation simply for advocating for their right to fair competition.My Office will continue to work to ensure equal opportunities for female athletes in collegiate sports.”
The investigation began after Roanoke College informed the women’s swim team in August 2023 that a student who previously competed on the men’s swim team would be joining their roster. This student had undergone hormone therapy in an attempt to meet the then-current guidelines established by the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA). The women’s swim team unanimously expressed concerns that competing against a biological male, even with hormone therapy, would be unfair.Following the addition of the student, the investigation found that the athlete consistently outperformed the female swimmers and was granted preferential treatment, including excused absences from practice. The female swimmers voiced their objections to the college management and athletic director, both in meetings and through written correspondence, citing the perceived unfairness of competing against an athlete with inherent physical advantages.Roanoke College did not alter its policy and maintained the student’s placement on the women’s team.
The Attorney General’s Office found that after the female swimmers publicly voiced their concerns,Roanoke College retaliated by denying several of their applications for a study-abroad program.
The VHRA prohibits discrimination and retaliation by educational institutions based on sex. The Office’s investigation persistent reasonable cause to believe Roanoke College’s policy allowing a post-pubescent biological male to compete on the women’s swim team violates the VHRA. Additionally, the Office found reasonable cause to believe the denial of study-abroad opportunities constituted retaliation for objecting to the policy, also violating Title IX.
A recording of the full press conference is available here.
media Contact:
Chloe Smith
chsmith@oag.state.va.us
Note: This rewrite maintains all verifiable facts from the original article and avoids any speculative language or additions. It focuses on the findings of the Attorney General’s Office and the sequence of events as presented in the source material.
