Title IX Rights for Student‑Athletes and Their Families: FAQ Guide

Title IX rights for student‑athletes guarantee equal access to education and athletics, regardless of gender. You have the right to learn and compete in an environment free from sex‑based harassment, assault, and discrimination. You are also entitled to fair treatment in any Title IX investigation in college sports, including notice of the allegations, a chance to respond, and an opportunity to appeal. Both students who file complaints and students who are accused have important due process rights that schools must respect.

Following are some of the questions we receive most often when it comes to Title IX and Title IX complaints.

What counts as a Title IX complaint for a student‑athlete?

A Title IX complaint for gender discrimination can cover many situations that affect athletes. This includes sexual harassment, sexual assault, hostile locker room or team environments, and pressure from coaches or teammates related to sex or gender. It also includes unequal facilities, pay, coaching, travel, or resources based on gender, as well as retaliation for speaking up about these problems. If the behavior is based on sex or gender and affects your ability to learn or compete, it may fall under Title IX.

Does a Title IX complaint have to be about sexual discrimination?

No. A Title IX complaint does not have to be only about sexual discrimination or sexual misconduct. Student‑athletes can file a Title IX complaint if they are treated differently because of their gender, including unequal facilities, coaching, playing time, funding, medical support, or access to strength and conditioning. It can also involve gender‑based cuts to rosters or support staff, or retaliation after raising concerns about fairness. These are all issues a college athletics Title IX attorney can help you evaluate.

What happens during a Title IX investigation in college sports, and how long does it usually take?

In a typical Title IX investigation in college sports, the school will give written notice of the allegations and open a formal investigation. An investigator gathers documents, texts, social media, and interviews from you, the other party, and witnesses before preparing a report. Many schools then hold a hearing where both sides can present evidence and ask questions through an advisor. The process can take several months, and both complainants and respondents have the right to review evidence and file an appeal if the outcome is unfair.

Can my school suspend me from my team before the Title IX investigation is finished?

Some schools try to impose a Title IX suspension from the team or remove an athlete from housing or classes before the case is complete. Federal rules say schools should only take such extreme steps if there is an actual safety risk, not just an accusation. Even then, you still keep your Title IX rights for student‑athletes, including a chance to challenge restrictions. A Title IX lawyer for college athletes can push the school to follow its own policies and federal law before sidelining your season.

What do I do if the Title IX office tells me my complaint shouldn’t be under Title IX but somewhere else, and I want it to be under Title IX?

Some schools try to move complaints into general conduct or HR policies so they do not have to follow full Title IX procedures, like formal investigations, live hearings, cross‑examination, and equal rights for both sides. You can ask, in writing, why the school believes your concerns do not qualify as a Title IX complaint for gender discrimination and request a copy of the policies they are using. You also can push back and ask that your report be treated as a Title IX sexual misconduct case or gender discrimination case when it clearly involves sex‑ or gender‑based conduct. Christine Brown & Partners can review your situation, help you challenge the re‑labeling of your complaint, and communicate with the school or the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) if needed.

What is Title IX retaliation, and what if my coach cuts my playing time or scholarship after I complain?

Title IX retaliation against athletes happens when your school, coach, or staff punish you for filing a complaint, supporting someone else’s complaint, or participating in an investigation. Retaliation can look like reduced playing time, being benched or pushed off the team, negative treatment in the locker room, or threats to your scholarship or NIL opportunities. Retaliation is illegal, even if the school says it is about “team culture” or “performance.” A college athletics Title IX attorney can help you document what is happening, report retaliation, and demand corrective action.

What should I do if my school is mishandling my Title IX complaint against a coach or teammate?

Warning signs include long delays, confusing messages, pressure not to file, or the school ignoring key witnesses or evidence. You do not have to accept a broken process; you can ask for updates in writing, request your file, and point to specific promises in the school’s Title IX policy. Christine Brown & Partners regularly helps student‑athletes strengthen their complaints, communicate formally with the school, and, when needed, take concerns to OCR so the school is held accountable. Getting help early can prevent mistakes that are hard to fix later.

Can I have a lawyer with me during Title IX interviews and hearings as a student‑athlete?

Yes. In most Title IX systems, you have the right to an advisor of your choice at every meeting and hearing, and that advisor can be an attorney. Having a Title IX lawyer for college athletes with you means you are not alone when answering questions, reviewing evidence, or preparing for cross‑examination. A Title IX attorney can serve as your advisor, help you avoid harmful statements, and make sure the school follows its own rules throughout the process.

If you have Title IX questions and concerns, don’t wait. Contact Christine Brown & Partners for guidance from attorneys who have not only defended, but defined, fairness in college sports.