University of Wyoming Joins Movement to Forfeit Against San Jose State
The University of Wyoming women’s volleyball team has become the third institution this season to forfeit a match against San Jose State University, following similar decisions by Boise State and Southern Utah. The reasons for these forfeitures remain unspecified.
Statement from the University of Wyoming
“After a lengthy discussion, the University of Wyoming will not play its scheduled conference match against San Jose State University,” the volleyball program announced on Tuesday. “Per Mountain West Conference policy, the conference will record the match as a forfeit and a loss for Wyoming.”
The center of controversy: Blaire Fleming
Blaire Fleming, a transgender athlete, competes for San Jose State and has become a focal point in the ongoing debate over transgender inclusion in sports. Fleming, a redshirt junior, plays as an outside and right-side hitter.
San Jose State issued a statement to OutKick, expressing disappointment over the situation. “It is disappointing that our SJSU student-athletes, who are in full compliance with NCAA and Mountain West rules and regulations, are being denied opportunities to compete,” the statement read.
Legal actions and safety concerns
Brooke Slusser, a San Jose State team member, has joined 18 other athletes in a lawsuit against the NCAA, citing concerns over current gender identity policies. The lawsuit highlights safety concerns, with Slusser claiming that Fleming’s spikes reached speeds previously unseen in women’s volleyball.
Support and opposition
Former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines commended Boise State for prioritizing athlete safety. “Some principles transcend winning on the court, and the safety and well-being of female athletes is one of them,” Gaines told Fox News Digital.
Idaho Governor Brad Little praised Boise State’s decision, aligning it with his state’s proactive stance against transgender inclusion in women’s sports. Little’s executive order enforces the “Defending Women’s Sports Act,” emphasizing exclusion protocols.
Federal and legal context
The Biden administration’s rule, effective August 1, includes gender identity in Title IX’s discrimination protections. However, GOP lawmakers and schools like Wyoming, Southern Utah, and Boise State have shown resistance.
In a significant legal moment, the Supreme Court recently rejected an emergency request to enforce parts of this rule, reflecting ongoing national division over the issue.
As this controversy unfolds, colleges across the country face increasing pressure to navigate the complex intersection of inclusivity and athletic integrity.