Statement from Rep. Mary Dye on Initiative Measure No. IL26-638 – Defending equity in interscholastic sports

Initiative Measure No. IL26-638 is a citizen-led initiative that concerns participation in athletics at K-12 schools. The initiative has been certified by the Washington Secretary of State and received by the state House of Representatives.

State Rep. Mary Dye, R-Pomeroy, has issued the following statement:

Why this initiative matters. . .

I had the opportunity to participate in team sports shortly after the passage of Title IX. At the time, there was genuine excitement among women and girls that we could finally have girls’ sports in our schools. There was a shared sense of excitement and possibility among women and girls as schools began offering dedicated girls’ sports for the first time.

While I was not the most athletic player, I deeply valued the experience of being part of a team—working toward a shared goal, building friendships, and developing skills. For girls who enjoy sports, even those who are not pursuing elite competition or athletic scholarships, these opportunities provide confidence, belonging, and personal growth. It is essential that girls’ sports remain safe, fair, and accessible to girls of all skill levels.

Boys should likewise be encouraged to participate in boys team sports, whether they are top performers or simply enjoy being part of a team. Sports offer boys important opportunities to develop discipline, teamwork, and resilience, even when college athletic scholarships are not a realistic outcome. Athletic scholarships exist to ensure fairness for highly talented students who dedicate significant effort to excellence, and maintaining sex-specific teams and scholarships appropriately recognizes biological differences, preserving fair play for girls and women.

For boys in secondary school who may struggle to find their place, schools should also identify the child’s interests, potential talents, offering academic pathways, enrichment pathways, or exploratory opportunities, ensuring that every student has meaningful opportunities to succeed. For kids wanting to participate in a team, school should set realistic expectations and broader definitions of achievement.

Encouraging children to play team sports is a healthy and proven way to build social skills, confidence, and lifelong friendships. Preserving separate teams for boys and girls is a key part of maintaining fairness, safety, and opportunity for all students—and it is central to the purpose of this initiative

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