boise state The women’s volleyball team lost its match against San Jose State University on Saturday due to controversy surrounding a transgender member of the Spartans’ roster.
This is the second team to refuse to play against SJSU this month.
Boise State Athletics released a statement specifically for outkicks Less than 24 hours before a Mountain West Conference matchup.
Volleyball on the court before the Division I Men’s Volleyball Championships on May 6, 2023 in Fairfax, Virginia. (Scott Tatsch/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
The statement gave no explanation for the seizure.
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“Boise State Volleyball will not play its scheduled match at San Jose State on Saturday, Sept. 28,” the statement said. “In accordance with Mountain West Conference policy, the conference will record the match as a forfeit and a loss to Boise State. The Broncos’ next contest will be Oct. 3 against Air Force.”
NCAA OutKick also provided a statement in response to Boise State’s decision.
“College sports are the premier stage for women’s sports in America, and NCAA members will continue to promote Title IX, make unprecedented investments in women’s sports and ensure fair competition for all student-athletes at all NCAA championships.”
Friday’s news follows controversy involving SJSU’s women’s volleyball team, when a current player, along with several other female athletes, sued the NCAA for Title IX violations.
Blair Fleming, a redshirt junior at San Jose State University, plays as an outside and right-side hitter on the women’s volleyball team. Fleming, a transgender athlete, has played two seasons at SJSU after previously playing at Coastal Carolina.
A volleyball net during the Division III women’s volleyball championship at the US Cellular Center on November 23, 2019 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (Jack Dempsey/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
Earlier this week, Fleming’s teammate, Brooke Slusser, joined the former NCAA swimmer Riley Goins And several other female athletes have sued the NCAA over its policies regarding transgender athletes, claiming they compromise the fairness and integrity of women’s competitive sports as well as put women at risk.
“I appreciate the Boise State athletic department and everyone involved in the decision to forfeit the game against undefeated San Jose State,” Gaines said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
“Some principles go beyond winning on the court, and the safety and well-being of female athletes is one of them. It’s encouraging to see a growing number of institutions prioritizing fairness and athlete safety rather than forced inclusion. I hope more “The universities will follow suit.” The leadership of Boise State and Southern Utah, standing up for what is right and protecting the integrity of women’s sports.”
According to the complaint, Slusser claimed he did not know Fleming was transgender, despite sharing rooms together on team trips. Slusser also expressed safety concerns for opponents playing against Fleming.
Slusser’s complaint, via Cowboy State Daily, states, “Brooke estimated that Fleming’s spikes were hitting upwards of 80 mph, which is the fastest she’s ever seen a woman hit a volleyball. ” “The girls were doing everything they could to avoid Fleming’s spikes but still could not completely protect themselves.”
“One thing that’s important in this case is really the issues of physical safety in volleyball,” Slusser’s attorney Bill Bock told OutKick. “And that’s what they’re facing in practice every day. So, it’s just a crazy, misguided policy that steals athletic dreams from women and gives them to men, and at the same time, endangers women’s health and safety. Is.”
Volleyball at the Division I Men’s Volleyball Championships at Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, California on May 4, 2019. (John W. McDonough/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
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Boise State is the second team to refuse to play against SJSU. Earlier this month, Southern Utah was participating in the Santa Clara Tournament, but only played against two of the three opponents, opting not to play against SJSU.
“The Southern Utah University volleyball team has opted to compete in only two non-conference games at this weekend’s Santa Clara Tournament,” the school said in a statement to OutKick at the time.
“The Thunderbirds are eager to make the most of these matches and maintain momentum for a successful season. Southern Utah has informed tournament directors and opposing teams of this decision, and we wish them the best of luck for the remainder of their season.” Are.”
The Spartans are undefeated this season with a record of 9–0. In their latest win over Fresno State, Fleming led the team with 16 kills. SJSU did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
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