NCAA Softball Player Advocates Against Transgender Athletes Amid Backlash

Kendall Kotzmacher, an NCAA softball player, has reported threats to her college due to her advocacy against transgender athletes competing in girls’ and women’s sports. Kotzmacher, a 20-year-old student at Colorado Christian University, shared with OutKick that the hostility has grown parallel to her increasing public profile.

Kotzmacher received a threat from an individual stating they would come to her school to harm her. She reported this threat and documented other concerning messages over the summer but confirmed that no arrests had been made. The threats include messages urging her to harm herself, which she described as difficult to cope with.

The visibility of her school increases her fears. Strangers knowing her school location has contributed to her anxiety about potential encounters.

Her concern extends to her teammates, as people have targeted them online due to their public support. Such individuals have looked up teammate names and statistics from social media posts. Kotzmacher offered to remove their names from her social media to protect them, but her teammates insist on standing by her. She expressed gratitude for their unwavering support.

Kotzmacher transferred to Colorado Christian University after a lack of coaching support and academic pressure at Western Michigan. Her advocacy began after a high school game where her team lost to another team featuring a transgender pitcher.

Balancing college softball with advocacy work, Kotzmacher practices and attends classes regularly. Still, she finds time to engage in advocacy efforts, including traveling to Washington. She participated in a Capitol Hill news conference after a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing focused on female athlete fairness and safety. During the hearing, Democrats showed minimal participation, which Kotzmacher criticized.

She plans to vote for Republican Senate nominee Michele Tafoya, who supports restrictions on transgender participation in female sports.

XX-XY Athletics recognized Kotzmacher as a Courage Wins Champion, honoring her stand for fairness and providing leadership support. This recognition acknowledges the personal sacrifices she has made, including losing friends.

Despite adversity, Kotzmacher continues advocating, driven by the prospect of younger girls facing similar challenges. She emphasizes the importance of using her voice and platform for change.

Sports reporter Jackson Thompson contributes to Fox News Digital, covering significant political and cultural issues in sports with an investigative approach.