Last week, the Utah State women's volleyball team chose to forfeit their match against San Jose State University (SJSU). The San Jose State team currently has a biological male, Braden (also known as “Blair”) Fleming, on the team, which appears to have led to the decision.
Utah State joins the list of teams choosing not to play undefeated San Jose State, with Wyoming, Southern Utah and Boise State among the others so far. Although the game was a forfeit and San Jose State won, this game means more than just a win-loss record.
So far, the universities involved in the confiscation have issued bland announcements about the decision, but have not said why. For example, Utah State University stated, “Utah State University will not participate in the volleyball game scheduled for October 23, 2024 at San Jose State University.” The University will follow Mountain West Conference policy regarding how this game will be recorded. ”
Republican supporters support women
The decision not to play these games appears to come from the athletes themselves.
And Republican politicians are supporting them, too.
“To the Utah and Southern Utah women’s volleyball teams: We root for you and cheer you on. Thank you for standing up not just for yourself, but for women across the country – current and future generations. ” Utah House of Representatives Speaker Mike Schultz posted on X.
“It's time for the NCAA to take action to protect female athletes and preserve women's sports,” Schultz added.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox also weighed in on X.
I support the @SUUtbirds and @USUAggies students, coaches, and leaders' decision to cancel the women's volleyball game against San Jose State University.
Feeling hurt?
San Jose State chose to play the “hurt feelings” card rather than address the issue. Michelle Smith MacDonald, the school's director of media, said in a statement:
It is unfortunate that SJSU student-athletes, who are in full compliance with NCAA and Mountain West rules and regulations, are being denied the opportunity to compete. We are committed to supporting our student-athletes' ability to navigate these challenges and compete in an inclusive, fair, safe and respectful environment.
Local LGBT community leaders criticized the confiscation as “uninformed and very uneducated.”
Chad Cole of the Utah Pride Center argued in a statement:
We are disappointed in the recent decision to cancel the volleyball game between Utah State University and San Jose State University due to the participation of a transgender female athlete. We expect more from our state's higher education institutions.
Fleming's teammates speak out.
While the Utah Pride Center and San Jose State University may be disappointed in the forfeiture, one person very close to the situation has a different perspective. Brooke Slusser, Fleming's teammate on the San Jose State volleyball team, joined the lawsuit filed by female athletes against the NCAA. The lawsuit alleges the NCAA puts female athletes at risk by forcing them to compete with biological males like Fleming and insisting they share locker rooms.
Slusser said it was an easy decision to make, even though it potentially alienated his teammates. She told Outkick Sports:
As crazy as it sounds, this is something I truly believe in, so it was an easy decision to join. And it's been easy because all the support I've been getting, 99% of it is just love and encouragement. So, for me, this shows that I made the right decision to participate. This is something that a lot of people are concerned about. It's just that a lot of people are afraid to talk about it.
Slusser claims San Jose State University hid Fleming's true gender throughout 2023. And once that became known, players were discouraged from talking about it. She continued:
And it was still a topic that we weren't allowed to talk about much. There were just whispers behind closed doors that this was happening, and no one really talked about it or addressed it.
And apparently that's what the NCAA wants. They want women who are victims of this unfair and perverted competition to just accept it and shut up. Unfortunately for them, Slusser and other female athletes have voiced their displeasure, and the movement appears to be gaining ground.
