Kendall Kotzmacher, a NCAA softball player from Colorado Christian University, recently shared her experience of receiving threats due to her advocacy against transgender athletes in girls’ and women’s sports. Kotzmacher, who has been targeted alongside her teammates, reported a disturbing threat where someone claimed they would come to her college to kill her.
She expressed her concern about such hostility growing as her public profile increases. “I had a person say that they were gonna come to the school and kill me. That one was a little scary,” Kotzmacher told OutKick.
Throughout the summer, Kotzmacher documented other troubling messages. These included people telling her to harm herself. Despite these serious threats, no arrests have been made.
Knowing strangers can pinpoint her college location adds to her fears. Kotzmacher worries about potential physical confrontations. Additionally, she’s concerned for her teammates who support her publicly. On social media, individuals have targeted her teammates’ comments and visited their accounts.
Kotzmacher offered to remove her teammates’ names from her social media to shield them from backlash, but they declined the offer. Her teammates expressed unity in facing this together, something she found refreshing.
Kotzmacher transferred from Western Michigan University to Colorado Christian University, citing lack of coaching support and academic pressures. Her advocacy caught public attention after a game where her high school lost to a team with a transgender pitcher.
With a busy schedule, including college studies and softball practice, she also dedicates time to advocacy. Recently, she attended a Capitol Hill news conference discussing fairness for female athletes.
During the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Democrats Dick Durbin and Amy Klobuchar attended briefly. Durbin raised concerns about other children’s issues and invasive examination methods. Kotzmacher criticized Democrats for limited participation.
Kotzmacher plans to support Republican Senate nominee Michele Tafoya, known for her stance on restricting transgender participation in female sports. Kotzmacher shared that she and Tafoya have discussed these issues.
Kotzmacher also attended rallies in Minneapolis where she was targeted by counterprotesters. Her Courage Wins Champion recognition by XX-XY Athletics acknowledges her sacrifices for fairness, opportunity, and safety in sports.
Despite losing friends over her stance, Kotzmacher continues to use her voice for change. She believes it’s crucial to speak up in support of younger girls facing similar challenges.