When a college athlete gets pregnant, school executives can make use of a “pregnancy tool kit” provided by the NCAA (National College Athletic Association). The kit contains a flow chart directing athletes to gather a “decision-making team” of coaches, athletic officials, family members, faith leaders, counselors, and doctors. The athlete can “elect to carry” and deliver the baby and return to training after 6-8 weeks. Or the athlete “elects to abort” and “returns to sport.”
But now, with Roe’s overturning, there is little information on how to best care for pregnant college athletes. Some athletic directors fear recruiting women athletes to states where abortion access will likely be curtailed.
“In the past, we’ve looked at pregnancy as health care — we’ve had women get pregnant, and we’ve had players have babies, and we’ve helped players make a different choice from a medical standpoint,” said Jacquie Joseph, assistant athletic director and former softball coach at Michigan State. “Now, what are we going to do?”
The silence of the NCAA has concerned many. “I don’t think there’s enough information. If there is, I haven’t been able to find it,” said a Division I soccer coach whose state banned abortion. For student-athletes, that information is especially critical. Their professional careers are depending on the state of their bodies, which pregnancy can seriously alter.
Nell Fortner, a leading women’s basketball coach, said while speaking about her youngest athletes, “My biggest message with my kids here is that we as women had a fundamental right that’s been taken away from us. Whether you believe in it or not, whether you think it’s right or wrong, this is a lawful right that we do not have anymore.”
But it’s not just women that are involved. According to the NCAA’s data, 75 percent of coaches and athletic directors are men. “There are going to be unplanned pregnancies,” Joseph said. “It does disproportionately impact women, but what are we going to do to hold the [men] accountable? Should he get to play when she doesn’t? If she’s forced to have a pregnancy, should he have a season? To me, that has to be part of it, too. This is an issue for both men and women.”
Clearly, this is a complex situation that can’t be solved with a simple yes or no. However, putting it off will not help find solutions. The NCAA must take action soon.
But now, with Roe’s overturning, there is little information on how to best care for pregnant college athletes. Some athletic directors fear recruiting women athletes to states where abortion access will likely be curtailed.
“In the past, we’ve looked at pregnancy as health care — we’ve had women get pregnant, and we’ve had players have babies, and we’ve helped players make a different choice from a medical standpoint,” said Jacquie Joseph, assistant athletic director and former softball coach at Michigan State. “Now, what are we going to do?”
The silence of the NCAA has concerned many. “I don’t think there’s enough information. If there is, I haven’t been able to find it,” said a Division I soccer coach whose state banned abortion. For student-athletes, that information is especially critical. Their professional careers are depending on the state of their bodies, which pregnancy can seriously alter.
Nell Fortner, a leading women’s basketball coach, said while speaking about her youngest athletes, “My biggest message with my kids here is that we as women had a fundamental right that’s been taken away from us. Whether you believe in it or not, whether you think it’s right or wrong, this is a lawful right that we do not have anymore.”
But it’s not just women that are involved. According to the NCAA’s data, 75 percent of coaches and athletic directors are men. “There are going to be unplanned pregnancies,” Joseph said. “It does disproportionately impact women, but what are we going to do to hold the [men] accountable? Should he get to play when she doesn’t? If she’s forced to have a pregnancy, should he have a season? To me, that has to be part of it, too. This is an issue for both men and women.”
Clearly, this is a complex situation that can’t be solved with a simple yes or no. However, putting it off will not help find solutions. The NCAA must take action soon.
