San Jose State University’s women’s volleyball team has seen its seventh match of the season cancelled due to a national debate over a transgender athlete on the team.
The University of Wyoming announced it would forfeit its second match against San Jose State on Friday, following an earlier forfeit in October. This recent forfeit marks the first instance of a match cancellation linked to the election of Donald Trump, whose proposed policies include restricting transgender athletes in women’s sports.
San Jose State responded to the forfeits in a statement to Fox News Digital, underscoring that all team athletes meet NCAA and Mountain West Conference eligibility rules.
The university expressed disappointment on behalf of its players, emphasising their right to compete and pride in their perseverance despite the disruptions.
In addition to Wyoming, programs from Southern Utah, Utah State, Nevada, and Boise State have also forfeited matches against San Jose State, with Boise State cancelling twice.
Idaho Governor Brad Little has publicly opposed transgender inclusion in women’s sports, enacting state executive orders to restrict it. He expressed confidence in the second Boise State forfeit, hinting at potential legal involvement if the match had gone forward.
At the centre of the dispute is team captain Brooke Slusser, who has filed a lawsuit against the NCAA regarding her transgender teammate, Blaire Fleming, sharing private spaces with her and other teammates.
Slusser alleges she was not informed that Fleming is a biological male. Assistant coach Melissa Batie-Smoose was suspended after filing a Title IX complaint, citing favouritism toward Fleming and supporting Slusser’s decision to join the lawsuit. Slusser stated that since Batie-Smoose’s suspension, many team members no longer feel they have a supportive confidant within the program.
“Anyone can see that they’re not here to support me,” Slusser said, explaining the university’s alleged preference for Fleming over her concerns. She emphasised that Batie-Smoose was the only coach who validated her concerns, leaving her and her teammates isolated.
Safety concerns have also escalated for Slusser, who reported receiving threats and expressed discomfort with the lack of protection from the administration.
San Jose State has provided police protection and coordinated security for the team’s games. When asked about investigative measures, the university encouraged students and staff to report any threatening communications for review by the University Police Department and other authorities as needed.
0.0 The situation is further complicated as the team’s postseason in the Mountain West Tournament approaches. Wyoming and other schools that have forfeited could face San Jose State again, potentially forcing future conflicts.
The controversy comes amid a broader national debate, with former President Trump advocating a total ban on transgender athletes in women’s sports.
Trump has pledged to enact such a policy if re-elected, a position supported by Slusser and Governor Little. Over the past few years, legislation backed by liberal politicians has promoted pathways for transgender athletes in female sports. Still, some Democrats, including Rep. Seth Moulton (MA) and Rep. Tom Suozzi (NY), have since criticised the policy.
With Trump’s inauguration approaching, a potential federal policy change on transgender inclusion in sports could reshape the debate and affect programs like San Jose State’s volleyball team.
