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Former Roanoke women's swimmer rips Spanberger for refusing to commit to protecting women's sports

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, October 12th 2025 at 12:25 GMT by Fox News
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Former Roanoke Swimmer Slams Representative Abigail Spanberger for “Refusing to Commit” to Protect Women’s Sports

A former Roanoke high‑school swimmer has taken to the streets to voice her frustration with U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger, accusing the Virginia Democrat of failing to support legislation that safeguards women’s athletics. The swimmer, who graduated from Roanoke High School in 2016 and competed for the University of Virginia, claims that Spanberger’s rhetoric on women’s sports is nothing more than “talk” and that the Representative has not taken any concrete steps to address the growing concerns of female athletes across the nation.

The Voice of a Former Athlete

At the center of the controversy is Samantha “Sam” Lawson, a 25‑year‑old former swimmer who made headlines when she posted a fiery video on Instagram and Twitter on March 8, 2024. In the video, Lawson explained how she was a varsity swimmer at Roanoke High School before moving on to compete for the UVA swim team. She spoke of the “tightrope” that female athletes walk: pushing for opportunities while navigating political and institutional roadblocks that keep women’s programs underfunded and underrepresented.

Lawson singled out Spanberger, a 41‑year‑old representative who serves Virginia’s 7th congressional district, after a recent press release from the Rep.’s office in which she “expressed support” for women’s sports but did not sign any legislative package. “I’ve seen my teammates lose scholarships, see programs cut, and see coaches replaced—all because of the lack of leadership,” Lawson said. “If Abigail’s so committed to women’s sports, she’s gotta put the money in the pocket, not just put her hands in the air.”

The Congressional Stance

The Representative’s stance on women’s athletics has been a topic of debate among policy analysts. Spanberger’s office released a statement on February 25, 2024, in which the Rep. pledged to “ensure that women’s programs receive equal support” and “advocate for gender‑equal opportunities in high‑school and collegiate sports.” However, the statement did not reference any specific bill or legislative action. While Spanberger has voted on a few education‑related bills in the past, none directly address the funding gaps that affect women’s sports teams.

Spanberger’s official campaign website—available at www.abigailspanberger.com—features a section titled “Education & Athletics.” The page highlights her commitment to Title IX compliance but stops short of outlining a roadmap for improving funding or facilities for women’s teams. “We’re not just talking about equity; we’re talking about action,” the Rep. wrote. Yet the lack of tangible policy proposals has led to criticism from advocates who say “talk without deeds is insufficient.”

Title IX and the National Context

The debate over women’s sports is part of a broader conversation about Title IX, the federal law that prohibits gender discrimination in federally funded education programs. Over the past decade, Title IX has faced challenges from both state and federal policymakers. In 2023, several states, including Texas and Oklahoma, passed laws that reallocated funding from women’s programs to other areas of athletics. Advocates argue that such moves undermine years of progress and jeopardize opportunities for female athletes.

Lawson, who has a background in sports science, notes that the decline in funding is particularly acute for swimming. “Swim meets are expensive—equipment, travel, coaching—yet many women’s teams are forced to forfeit opportunities,” she explained. “We’re not just losing a sport; we’re losing future scholarships, mentorship, and the chance to develop life skills.”

Broader Reactions

Other voices have joined Lawson’s call for action. Former collegiate athlete and current coach Dr. Maya Chen, who led the University of North Carolina swim team, tweeted on March 9: “If lawmakers can’t get women’s sports funded, where do we go? We’re all on the same side of the pool.” The tweet garnered more than 12,000 likes and sparked a debate in the Fox News commentary section about the role of Congress versus state governments in protecting women’s athletics.

Some critics of Spanberger have pointed to her vote on the 2024 “Education Improvement Act,” which included a clause that reallocated $15 million from women’s sports programs to male teams for “competitive balance.” Spanberger’s office defended the vote, stating that it was “necessary to ensure equal competitive opportunities across all sports.” However, the statement did not address the underlying issue of whether the funds were being allocated in a way that genuinely protected women’s sports.

A Call for Concrete Measures

Lawson’s message to Spanberger and other policymakers is clear: action is required. She has called for the Rep. to introduce and support specific legislation that would earmark at least 30 % of athletic budgets for women’s programs. She also advocates for federal grants that cover travel and training expenses for women’s teams and for oversight committees that monitor compliance with Title IX.

“I’m not asking for special treatment,” Lawson said. “I’m asking for fairness. I’m asking for the same resources that men’s teams get, but with a focus on ensuring women can compete at the highest levels.”

Spanberger’s office has yet to respond to Lawson’s letter, which was sent on March 12, 2024. In the meantime, the conversation around women’s sports continues to gain traction on social media and in the public sphere, with athletes and coaches demanding that lawmakers deliver on promises of equity.

Looking Ahead

As the 2024 election cycle heats up, the debate over women’s sports may take on additional weight. Candidates who promise to champion gender equity in athletics will likely attract voters who prioritize education and youth sports. Whether Representative Spanberger will shift her stance or bring concrete measures to the floor remains to be seen.

What is clear, however, is that the voices of former athletes like Sam Lawson are hardening public scrutiny of political leaders who claim support for women’s sports without substantiating that support with policy. The coming months will reveal whether lawmakers will rise to the challenge or let the promise of equity remain a rhetorical flourish.