• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Women Deserve Better

Women Deserve Better: For us, that means better information, better support, and better choices. Life brings challenges. We bring empowerment, because we’ll never underestimate women.

  • Work
    • Find a Job
    • Build a Career
    • Take Maternity Leave
    • Thrive As a Working Parent
    • Know Your Rights at Work
  • Learn
    • Earn Your Degree As a Parent
    • Know Your Rights on Campus
    • Finance Your Education
    • Medical Care for Student Moms
    • Housing for Student Parents
    • Child Care While You’re In Class
  • Live
    • Child Care
    • Feeding Your Family
    • Elder Care
    • Housing
    • Clothes
    • Medical Care
    • Getting Around
    • Money Matters
    • Gardening
    • Special Needs
    • Fun
    • Self-Help
  • Love
    • Adoption
    • Bonding
    • Fathers
    • Your Parents
    • Support Networks
  • About
    • Our Mission
    • Contributors
  • Shop
    • Shop
    • View Cart/Checkout
  • Support Us
  • Donate
  • Home

How Redshirting Can Help Pregnant Athletes

September 14, 2021 by Cynthia Wood

What is redshirting?

Redshirting is the practice of holding a student’s place on a college sports team so that she will be able to return to the team after a set period of time. This practice, normally used for medical leave, allows the student athlete to keep her spot on the team, along with any sports-related scholarships, until it is feasible for her to return. 

Although pregnancy is neither an illness nor an injury, it does incapacitate a student athlete for a period of time, and redshirting is one way to ensure the health and safety of both mother and baby — and still be a team player.

So what protections are in place for pregnant athletes?

  • Currently, the NCAA has a handbook policy for all sport teams:
    • The athletics department will help the pregnant or parenting student athlete plan for her continued academic progress, in accord with the university’s educational mission.
    • The athletics department will help the student athlete return to her sport after the pregnancy and during parenting, if the student athlete so desires. 
    • The athletics department will assist the student athlete to access the pregnancy and parenting support resources that are available to all college students.
  • For those student athletes in athletic programs under the NAIA, the exemption can be found here.
  • Title IX 
    • This federal law is a part of the Education Amendments of 1972.
    • It prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.

Despite both of these protocols in place, it still gives women limited options and support throughout pregnancy.

What else should you know?

First off, know that you are supported and you have options available: 

  • Talk to your adviser to help manage your schedule and workload.
  • It may be difficult discussing this matter with the coach so think about bringing someone else with you, whether it be a trusted friend, adviser, or parent.
  • Although there are policies in place, some may choose not to follow it. In this case, it would be best to talk to the head of athletics and work from there.

By Katharine Burgess

Filed Under: Earn Your Degree As a Parent, Know Your Rights on Campus, Learn

Primary Sidebar

Featured Articles

  • Catch Up Kids in Class: The Benefits of Reading with Children
  • Catch Up Kids in Class: 10 Tips
  • Catch Up Kids in Class: Math Basics
  • 50 Free Winter Activity Ideas
  • The Affordable Connectivity Program
fb-share-icon

Footer

Women Deserve Better

13 hours ago

Women Deserve Better
Just a reminder.Resharing this memory from Sweatpants and coffee for National Fibromylgia Day . Be kind to yourself. X💕💕 ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Women Deserve Better

2 days ago

Women Deserve Better
Yup.Don’t FORGET to switch your laundry. Credit Mama Needs a Nap ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

womendeservebetter

You are not alone. Just a reminder that laundry ne You are not alone. Just a reminder that laundry needs to be done. 😂

#laundry #laundrymeme #laundrymemes #womendeservebetter
You can be anything! Don't give up on your dreams You can be anything!

Don't give up on your dreams: if cauliflower can be pizza and zucchini can be noodles, you too can be anything you want. 

#zoodles #youcanbeanything #believeinyourself #womendeservebetter
Yes girl! #remix #flyingwithchildren #parentingme Yes girl!

#remix #flyingwithchildren #parentingmemes #parentingmeme
Load More... Follow on Instagram
Thanks for signing up!

GET OUR LATEST NEWS

ABOUT

  • Our Mission
  • Contributors

SUPPORT US

  • Donate
  • Become a Partner
  • Share Your Story or Your Expertise
  • Promote Women Deserve Better

Women Deserve Better: For us, that means better information, better support, and better choices. Life brings challenges. We bring empowerment, because we’ll never underestimate women.

Copyright © 2023 — Feminists for Life of America • All rights reserved.