Skip to main content
Tags: university of pennsylvania | transgender | swimmer | lia thomas | ncaa | woman of the year | award

Transgender Swimmer's 'Woman of the Year' Nod 'Tarnished' School's Reputation

Lia Thomas, a transgender woman, finishes the 200 yard Freestyle for the University of Pennsylvania at an Ivy League swim meet against Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on January 22. (Joseph Prezioso/Getty Images)

By    |   Wednesday, 20 July 2022 06:28 AM EDT

The decision by the University of Pennsylvania to nominate transgender swimmer Lia Thomas for the NCAA Woman of the Year award reignited a firestorm of protest directed at the university and the athlete – including a Penn swimming alum who accused university leaders of having "tarnished" the school's name "permanently."

Each NCAA member school can recognize up to two female athletes for the award, and Penn nominated Thomas for Division I swimming and diving. Member schools nominated a total of 577 graduating female student-athletes.

© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.


platinum
The decision by the University of Pennsylvania to nominate transgender swimmer Lia Thomas for the NCAA Woman of the Year award reignited a firestorm of protest directed at the university and the athlete.
university of pennsylvania, transgender, swimmer, lia thomas, ncaa, woman of the year, award
851
2022-28-20
Wednesday, 20 July 2022 06:28 AM
Newsmax Media, Inc.

Sign up for Newsmax’s Daily Newsletter

Receive breaking news and original analysis - sent right to your inbox.

(Optional for Local News)
Privacy: We never share your email address.
Join the Newsmax Community
Read and Post Comments
Please review Community Guidelines before posting a comment.
 
TOP

Interest-Based Advertising | Do not sell or share my personal information

Newsmax, Moneynews, Newsmax Health, and Independent. American. are registered trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. Newsmax TV, and Newsmax World are trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc.

NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Download the Newsmax App
NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved