Access to abortion represents a critical issue for college women athletes as pregnancy can derail both athletic and academic careers. “Abortion bans could have a widespread effect on college athletics — potentially sidetracking the careers of athletes who are prohibited from having an abortion legally, influencing where athletes choose to attend school, and exposing some coaches, trainers and administrators to lawsuits for helping any athlete get an abortion.” www.nytimes.com/2022/06/10/sports/oklahoma-abortion-softball.html
The pervasive legacy of slavery intersected with misogyny is revealed by the finding that HBCU students disproportionately affected by Roe's reversal. “Roughly three-quarters of HBCUs are located in states that have banned or mostly banned abortions. Many of the country’s historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are scattered across the South, in states where Black Americans, in the wake of the Civil War, pooled their resources and finally gained access to higher education. Now, however, their descendants are disproportionately losing their right to reproductive health.” www.washingtonpost.com/education/2022/07/20/abortion-access-hbcus-roevwade/
And what else emerges disproportionate distribution of abortion bans? HBCUs are concentrated in athletic conferences with high caliber women’s sports teams. Elite women’s college sports are disproportionately located in states with abortion bans. Elite women of color college athletes will be disproportionately impacted post-Roe. https://justwomenssports.com/abortion-bans-ncaa-womens-sports-impact/.
In May 2022, Oklahoma lawmakers enacted a near total ban on access to abortion. The NCAA Division I Softball World Series has been played in Oklahoma City since 1990. This tournament pumps more than $20 million into the city’s economy, and is an unrivaled national showcase for elite women college athletes. With nary a whisper about women’s rights despite calls that NCAA should find a new home for college softball, the tournament took place in early June with a dominant performance by Oklahoma University.
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/06/09/women-college-world-series-oklahoma-abortion/
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