As the issue of how transgender student-athletes fit into the organized sports landscape continues to evolve at both the college and high school levels, the collegiate ranks lost one such athlete this week.
The Associated Press reports that Kye Allums, an openly transgender member of the George Washington University women's basketball team, will not return to the program for his senior season, though he remains enrolled in classes to be offered this fall.
"I alone came to this conclusion, and I thank the athletic department for respecting my wishes," Allums said in a statement released by the university.
Allums drew international attention when he announced prior to the 2010-11 season his desire to be referred to as a man. In order to remain eligible to compete in women's basketball, Allums chose to forego hormone treatments and gender-altering surgery.
An instant role model within the transgender community, Allums played in only eight games last season after suffering a pair of concussions. The 5-11 guard averaged 6.8 points per game. He initially intended to play his senior season, despite doctors' warnings that had he been a football player, his career would definitely be over.
