The Boise State women’s volleyball team has forfeited its upcoming match against San Jose State University (SJSU) amid ongoing controversies related to a transgender athlete on the SJSU roster. This marks the second time this month a team has opted not to compete against SJSU.
While Boise State’s official statement did not elaborate on the reasons for the forfeit, it emphasized compliance with Mountain West Conference policy, which will record the match as a loss for Boise State. The NCAA has reiterated its commitment to promoting fair competition for women in sports.
The controversy centers around Blaire Fleming, a transgender athlete on the SJSU team, who is part of a lawsuit filed by several female athletes, including Fleming’s teammate Brooke Slusser, against the NCAA for Title IX violations.
The lawsuit argues that current policies compromise the fairness and safety of women’s sports. Slusser expressed safety concerns regarding the physical impact of Fleming’s play, citing incidents where Fleming’s spikes were notably powerful.
Riley Gaines, a former NCAA swimmer involved in advocacy for fairness in women’s sports, praised Boise State for prioritizing the safety and integrity of female athletes over competitive outcomes.
Southern Utah University also opted out of a match against SJSU earlier this month, reinforcing the trend among some institutions to stand against policies they believe undermine women’s sports.
