DOJ sues Minnesota agencies over trans athletes in girls' softball
The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a Title IX lawsuit against Minnesota's state education agencies for permitting biological male transgender athletes to compete in girls' high school sports. The action follows a controversy at Champlin Park High School, where a transgender pitcher led the team to a state championship last season. The pitcher, identified as Marissa Rothenberger, pitched a complete game shutout in the title game but is not listed on the team's current roster.
Champlin Park, part of the Anoka-Hennepin School District, defeated a team featuring NCAA softball player Kendall Kotzmacher 3-2 in last season's state final, Kotzmacher's last high school game. Kotzmacher, now playing at the collegiate level where such participation is prohibited, expressed concern for her younger sister, who returns for this season. "My little sister, she played with me last year. She's still playing, so it's really hard," Kotzmacher said. "I'm lucky enough that it's not allowed at the NCAA level. But there's all of these girls that I do not want them to ever have to go through the situations that I did."
The Anoka-Hennepin School District stated it will comply with Minnesota State High School League rules and state law, emphasizing eligibility standards for sportsmanship and citizenship. Due to an ongoing lawsuit naming the district, it limited further comment. Separately, the Alliance Defending Freedom represents plaintiffs in a challenge to state policies on transgender athletes; a federal judge dismissed the suit, but an appeal awaits decision in appellate court.
Anonymous plaintiffs in the ADF case voiced hopes for fairness. One said, "I just want a fair and competitive season. My hope for this season is that the focus stays on the game, while also making sure girls’ sports remain a place where female athletes have equal opportunities to compete and succeed." Another added, "Thank you, President Trump! I’m so grateful for the support towards girls in sports in Minnesota."
Minnesota Democrats rejected Republican bills in early 2025 and again this week to bar biological males from girls' sports, citing Democratic control of the legislature. State Rep. Krista Knudsen argued, "Protecting girls is not hate. When biological males enter girls’ sports, girls lose. They lose medals, they lose roster spots, they lose college scholarships and they lose their safety." State Rep. Kelly Moller countered, "My colleagues across the aisle say that you are bringing this to protect women and girls and that couldn’t be further from the truth. The real threat to women and girls is sexual assault and gender-based violence." Meanwhile, 326 school board members from 125 districts urged compliance with federal directives to protect girls' sports.
