LAS VEGAS – Three former University of Pennsylvania swimmers have filed a new lawsuit against the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Ivy League Conference, and Harvard University citing harassment, abuse, and federal law violations from the 2021-2022 women’s sports season.
The lawsuit—filed February 4, 2025 backed and supported by the Independent Council on Women’s Sports (ICONS) on behalf of swimmers Grace Estabrook, Ellen Holmquist, and Margot Kaczorowski—claims the NCAA and Ivy League fostered a culture of intimidation while forcing young women to deny biology, jeopardizing their opportunities, privacy, and safety. The complaint says these actions violated Title IX and failed to protect female athletes.
“I never expected my Ivy League education to teach me that women must silently accept losing their opportunities and privacy,” said plaintiff Grace Estabrook. “Women’s sports and the leaders who oversee them should not prioritize men’s feelings over fairness and integrity.”
Represented by sports attorney Bill Bock, JD, the lawsuit highlights the NCAA and Ivy League’s decision to allow male swimmer Lia Thomas to compete on the University of Pennsylvania women’s team and access women’s locker rooms during the 2021-2022 season.
“Nearly three years have passed since a man was allowed to join my women’s swim team, and while many of us have tried to move on, nothing has changed,” said plaintiff Ellen Holmquist. “I’ve decided I can no longer stay silent because future generations of female athletes deserve better.”
Plaintiff Margot Kaczorowski also emphasized the broader impact of the case, stating, “This isn’t just about us — it’s about protecting every girl coming up behind us and ensuring my teammates get the chance to earn their place on the women’s record board. Women deserve respect, fairness, and safe spaces in sports. The Ivy League and NCAA must be held accountable.”
This is the third lawsuit backed by ICONS targeting the NCAA and collegiate athletic conferences for alleged Title IX violations and harm to female athletes. In 2024, Riley Gaines and 18 female athletes filed a lawsuit against the NCAA in Georgia. Another lawsuit followed involving a dozen women from five universities in the Mountain West Conference over a male volleyball player’s inclusion on a women’s team.
ICONS leaders said they remain committed to pursuing legal action until the NCAA addresses past harms and corrects the ongoing injustices against female athletes. “The NCAA and Ivy League owe these women apologies, policy reforms, and the restoration of records to honor female accomplishments,” said ICONS Co-Founder and NCAA Champion Swimmer Marshi Smith.