Riley Gaines to Speak at UTC on Women’s Sports and Policy

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Activist and former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines is set to speak at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) on Tuesday, November 18, as part of a Turning Point USA event. The event will take place at 7 p.m. in Derthick Hall, Room 101.

Gaines, who is known for her advocacy for women’s sports, has gained national attention and frequently draws large crowds. Her speech comes after a recent surge of interest in her views on policy and women’s sports, particularly following her participation in the 2024 Republican National Convention in July.

Doors for the event will open at 6:30 p.m., and admission is free, though seating is limited. Attendees are encouraged to reserve their tickets in advance via the UTC Turning Point’s Instagram account, @tpusa_utc.

Turning Point USA leaders stated that this marks the organization’s first major event since being officially recognized by the university earlier this year. Despite a student government vote against it, UTC officials confirmed that Turning Point USA met all necessary requirements for hosting the event.

Gaines, 25, is a 12-time NCAA All-American swimmer who has also hosted a weekly podcast, “Gaines for Girls,” and is an ambassador for the Independent Women’s Forum. She is expected to discuss her advocacy work and the importance of policies that protect women in sports.

The UTC police department will provide security at the event to ensure safety for attendees.