The women’s volleyball team at Boise State University has decided to forfeit their scheduled match against San José State University on Saturday, September 28, reportedly due to the presence of a transgender player on the opposing team. Boise State Athletics did not provide an official explanation for the decision but confirmed the forfeit, which will be recorded as a loss for Boise State, in a statement released to sports website OutKick.
“Boise State volleyball will not play its scheduled match at San José State,” the statement noted. “The Mountain West Conference will officially record this as a forfeit for Boise State. The Broncos will next compete on October 3 against Air Force.”
San José State’s women’s volleyball team currently boasts an undefeated record of 10-0, featuring Blaire Fleming, a biological male, transgender student-athlete who previously played at Coastal Carolina University. Concerns regarding Fleming’s participation, based on perceived physical advantages, have sparked debates about safety in women’s collegiate sports. Fleming’s teammate, Brooke Slusser, along with former swimmer Riley Gaines and other female athletes, has recently filed a lawsuit against the NCAA, alleging that the inclusion of transgender players in women’s sports violates Title IX.
“We are operating our program under NCAA and Mountain West regulations, and our student-athletes comply with all rules,” a San José State spokesperson said, refraining from commenting on individual gender identities. The Independent Council on Women’s Sports also raised concerns about Fleming’s participation in a letter to the Mountain West Conference. Slusser is noted to be involved in the ongoing lawsuit against the NCAA due to safety worries.
“Brooke Slusser describes practices and games as terrifying experiences, with a male athlete delivering volleyballs at speeds exceeding 80 mph, undermining fair competition,” the letter stated.
Boise State is the second team to forfeit against San José State; Southern Utah University also chose not to compete in a match on September 14. Meanwhile, the University of Wyoming had considered forfeiting their match scheduled for October 5 but has confirmed they will proceed with the game.
Boise State’s decision has garnered support from figures such as Riley Gaines, Idaho State Board of Education executive director Joshua Whitworth, and Idaho Governor Brad Little, who praised the university for aligning with his recently signed executive order, the Defending Women’s Sports Act.
By: Montana Newsroom staff
