The ball is tossed to Wooster's Ethan Yeh during Friday's game against South Lake Tahoe at Wooster High School on Sept. 30. 2022. Wooster won 27-13. Footall S Lake Tahoe At Wooster 14
Lake Tahoe, California – Two California high schools, Truckee and North Tahoe High Schools, both located near Lake Tahoe, have announced they will withdraw from the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association (NIAA) following the league’s recent decision to ban transgender girls from participating in girls’ sports. The schools will make the switch starting in the fall of 2025.
The move follows an April vote by the NIAA that requires athletes on girls’ teams to provide proof of sex assigned at birth if their gender identity comes under question. The rule, critics say, discriminates against transgender students and violates California state laws that protect gender identity and expression.
“We are a California school district and so we must adhere to California state law,” said Amber Burke, spokesperson for the Truckee Tahoe Unified School District. “It is related to the recent NIAA policy changes regarding student-athlete eligibility based on biological sex. That conflicts with California laws.”
In a letter sent to families, Truckee Superintendent Kerstin Kramer emphasized that the decision was based on legal obligations, citing California Assembly Bill 1955, which guarantees students’ rights to privacy and non-discrimination. “Recent NIAA policy changes directly conflict with California laws,” Kramer wrote. “Aligning with the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) ensures our compliance with state law.”
While Truckee and North Tahoe will now compete under the CIF, nearby South Tahoe High School—also in California—has chosen to remain in the NIAA for now. “Our stance right now is at this point, we’re going to stay in the NIAA because we think it’s what’s best for our student-athletes,” said South Tahoe athletic director Kevin Hennessee.
The departure of Truckee and North Tahoe is a major loss for the NIAA. Truckee, in particular, has been a powerhouse in Nevada high school sports, winning two of the last three 3A state football championships and five state titles in volleyball. Its cross-country program, along with North Tahoe’s, has also dominated, with North Tahoe boasting 27 boys’ and 16 girls’ state championships.
Truckee has already begun building its football schedule for fall 2025 with teams from Northern Nevada, but the transition to a new league could present logistical challenges in scheduling and travel.
The NIAA has not commented on the departures as of now, and Executive Director Tim Jackson did not respond to a request for comment.
