(TheProudRepublic.com) – Standing up for what they and millions of conservative Americans know is right, the Boise State women’s volleyball team has chosen to forfeit a game against San José State University, sparking controversy tied to the inclusion of a transgender player on SJSU’s roster. This decision highlights escalating tensions over transgender athletes in women’s sports.
The Boise State women’s volleyball team forfeited its game against San Jose State University (SJSU) due to controversy over a transgender player on the SJSU roster. By Mountain West Conference rules, the match was recorded as a forfeit and a loss for Boise State. Boise State Athletics disclosed this decision first to OutKick but did not elaborate on the reasons behind the forfeiture.
Blaire Fleming, a transgender athlete on the San Jose State team, has become the focal point of this controversy. Fleming, a redshirt junior, has been cleared to play for San Jose State’s women’s volleyball team since 2022. Concerns were raised by the Independent Council on Women’s Sports (ICONS) regarding the safety of athletes due to Fleming’s participation.
Boise State’s decision is part of a larger discussion about transgender athletes in women’s sports. Brooke Slusser, a teammate of Fleming, claimed Fleming admitted to being biologically male and voiced safety concerns to school officials. Slusser was reportedly told by the school to refrain from discussing the gender identity of teammates.
ICONS sent a letter to the Mountain West Conference expressing concerns from student-athletes, parents, coaches, and administrators.
According to the letter, “Over the last few weeks, we have spoken with distraught student-athletes and their parents, coaches, and administrators throughout the Mountain West Conference (MWC) regarding a crisis in MWC women’s volleyball.”
Riley Gaines, a critic of trans athletes in women’s sports, commended Boise State for prioritizing athlete safety and fairness.
“I commend Boise State’s athletic department and everyone involved in the decision to forfeit their match against undefeated San Jose State,” Gaines said.
Slusser has joined a lawsuit with Riley Gaines to prevent transgender athletes from competing in teams of their gender. Fleming, who transferred from Coastal Carolina University, faces a challenging landscape as more institutions scrutinize transgender participation in women’s sports.
Boise State’s forfeit marks the second team this month to withdraw from playing San Jose State, and it casts a shadow over the growing tension between inclusion policies and fairness in women’s sports. San Jose State’s women’s volleyball team remains unbeaten for the season, boasting a 10-0 record. Boise State, having forfeited the match, will now prepare for their next game on October 3 against Air Force.
As the issue persists, the NCAA released a statement emphasizing their commitment to Title IX and fair competition without addressing specific allegations. “College sports are the premier stage for women’s sports in America, and the NCAA members will continue to promote Title IX, make unprecedented investments in women’s sports and ensure fair competition for all student-athletes in all NCAA championships.”
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