A legal storm just hit Tiger Stadium. Transgender runner Sadie Schreiner, 21, has filed a lawsuit against Princeton University, athletic director John Mack, track operations head Kimberly Keenan-Kirkpatrick, and timing service Leone Timing & Results. The allegations? They removed her from the 200-meter race at May’s Larry Ellis Invitational, just minutes before the start, after someone allegedly whispered that she was transgender. Schreiner calls the incident “humiliating,” “dehumanizing,” and a violation of her dignity.
Schreiner, who transitioned in high school and previously ran for Rochester Institute of Technology, signed up for the race unattached to any team. But just 15 minutes before her race, her name was removed from the heat sheets. Despite having legal identification that lists her as female, an official reportedly told her, “I do not want to assume, but you are transgender,” and even offered a separate event for her to run in. Schreiner refused.
The complaint, filed in New Jersey Superior Court, argues that Princeton violated the state’s Law Against Discrimination. The law protects individuals from being excluded from public accommodations based on gender identity, and Schreiner’s legal team is framing this case as a clear-cut instance of such exclusion.
This moment is not isolated. In February, former President Trump issued the “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” executive order. That directive triggered a rapid wave of policy changes from the NCAA, USA Track & Field, and World Athletics, effectively disqualifying transgender women who underwent male puberty from competing in women’s categories. Schreiner noted on social media at the time that it might mark “what will be my last meet in the United States.”
Now, Schreiner is pushing back. She is seeking damages for emotional and physical harm and aiming to challenge what she sees as a rising wave of anti-trans discrimination in competitive sports.
What’s at Stake
- Fairness vs. Inclusion: Advocates for trans rights argue that excluding athletes like Schreiner ignores individual context and reinforces harmful stigma. Opponents argue that physiological differences compromise competitive equity.
- Legal Precedent: This lawsuit relies on New Jersey’s robust anti-discrimination law and could influence how other states approach trans inclusion in sports.
- Institutional Response: Universities and athletic organizations are caught between federal orders, evolving league rules, and increasing legal scrutiny. Schreiner’s case forces those institutions to clarify where they stand.
Sadie Schreiner’s Track Record and Message
A former Division III All-American at RIT, Schreiner holds multiple school records. She has been open on Instagram, describing the May meet as potentially her last competitive event. Through this lawsuit, she wants to open up a deeper conversation about whether fairness in women’s sports can coexist with trans inclusion and dignity.
Transgender athletes continue to face systemic obstacles in pursuing the same dreams as their peers. Schreiner’s case is not just about one race or one university. It is about visibility, self-respect, and the right to compete without shame. The message is clear: inclusion is not optional. It is overdue.