NCAA softball player Kendall Kotzmacher reported receiving a death threat related to her advocacy against transgender athletes competing in women's sports. The 20-year-old sophomore at Colorado Christian University stated that the hostility towards her has increased as her public profile has grown. Kotzmacher said, "I had a person say that they were gonna come to the school and kill me. That one was a little scary." She has documented other concerning messages and reported the threat to her school, but no arrests have been made.
Kotzmacher expressed that she has received numerous negative messages, including people telling her to harm herself. She noted that the knowledge of her college's location adds to her fear. "I think people knowing where I go to school has been a little bit scary just because I never know if someone’s going to show up or what’s going to go on," she said.
The backlash has also affected her teammates, as Kotzmacher mentioned that someone targeted them on social media. She offered to remove their names from her advocacy posts to protect them, but her teammates declined, stating they wanted to support her.
Kotzmacher transferred to Colorado Christian University from Western Michigan University, citing a lack of coaching support and academic pressure as reasons for her move. Her advocacy began after a high school game where her team lost to a team with a transgender pitcher. She has been balancing her college softball commitments with her advocacy efforts, which have included attending a news conference in Washington, D.C., following a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on fairness in women's sports.
During the hearing, Kotzmacher criticized the limited participation of Democratic senators, urging them to listen to the stories of female athletes. She also expressed her intention to vote for Republican Senate nominee Michele Tafoya, who supports restrictions on transgender participation in women's sports. Kotzmacher's advocacy has led to her recognition as a Courage Wins Champion by XX-XY Athletics, which honors female athletes for their stands on fairness and safety in sports. Despite the support she has received, Kotzmacher acknowledged that the hostility she faces has been challenging, stating, "I think this summer I definitely reached my limit." She remains committed to speaking out for younger girls facing similar challenges, emphasizing the importance of using one's voice for change.