LAS VEGAS, NV — Three former University of Pennsylvania swimmers have filed a lawsuit against the NCAA, the Ivy League, and Harvard University, alleging harassment, abuse, and violations of federal law stemming from the 2021-2022 women’s sports season.
Filed on February 4, the lawsuit is backed by the Independent Council on Women’s Sports (ICONS) and names Grace Estabrook, Ellen Holmquist, and Margot Kaczorowski as plaintiffs. The complaint claims that the NCAA and Ivy League created a culture of intimidation, failed to protect female athletes, and violated Title IX by allowing transgender swimmer Lia Thomas to compete on Penn’s women’s team and access women’s locker rooms.
“I never expected my Ivy League education to teach me that women must silently accept losing their opportunities and privacy,” Estabrook said in a statement. Holmquist added that after nearly three years, “nothing has changed,” prompting her to take legal action.
Represented by sports attorney Bill Bock, the plaintiffs argue that female athletes were forced to compromise their opportunities, fairness, and safety. Kaczorowski stated that the case is about “protecting every girl coming up behind us” and ensuring women’s records remain intact.
This lawsuit marks the third legal challenge backed by ICONS against the NCAA over similar concerns. Previous lawsuits were filed in Georgia and by athletes from the Mountain West Conference.