Utah State University has become the fourth university to lose a game against San Jose State amid a controversy over transgender player Blaire Fleming.
Fleming, a redshirt senior in his third season on San Jose State’s roster, is at the center of a class-action lawsuit filed against the NCAA after it was revealed that he was born a biological male.
More than a dozen athletes, including the player’s teammate Brooke Slusser and women’s rights activist Riley Gaines, accuse the NCAA of knowingly violating a law prohibiting discrimination based on sex by allowing a transgender player competes in women’s sports.
Since then, the Southern Utah, Boise State and University of Wyoming women’s volleyball teams have refused to play San Jose State.
In a statement issued today, Utah State also stated that it will not participate in a game scheduled for October 23, notably without providing a clear reason for doing so.
Fleming (pictured), a redshirt senior in his third season on San Jose State’s roster, is at the center of a class-action lawsuit filed against the NCAA after it was revealed that he is a biological male.
Utah State University has become the fourth university to lose a game against San Jose State amid the controversy over transgender player Blaire Fleming.
“Utah State University will not participate in its volleyball match scheduled for October 23, 2024 at San Jose State University,” it said in a statement.
“The University will comply with Mountain West Conference policy regarding how this game is recorded.”
The other three universities also did not provide a reason for the loss.
Fleming, who plays outside hitter and right, has enjoyed two seasons with San Jose State after previously playing at Coastal Carolina.
The 6-foot-1 volleyball star has helped the team go 10-0 so far this year. The 6-foot-1 volleyball star has helped the team go 10-0 so far this year.
Fleming, who plays outside hitter and right, has enjoyed two seasons with San Jose State after previously playing at Coastal Carolina.
The 6-foot-1 volleyball star has helped the team to a 10-0 record so far this year.
She currently ranks as the second best player on the team, with 103 shots and 118.5 points this season.
The player transferred from Coastal Carolina University in South Carolina, where she played on the women’s team, shortly after the state passed the Save Women’s Sports bill, which would have prohibited her from playing on women’s teams.
The player also participated on her high school girls’ team at John Champe High School in Virginia, according to Reduxx.
San Jose State responded to the controversy over its player in a statement to OutKick on Oct. 1 saying, “It is disappointing that our SJSU student-athletes, who are in full compliance with NCAA and Mountain West rules and regulations, are being deny them opportunities to compete. .
“We are committed to supporting our student-athletes through these challenges and in their ability to compete in an inclusive, fair, safe and respectful environment.”
The University of Wyoming previously withdrew from a game
Southern Utah University women’s volleyball was the first team to withdraw from a match
Fleming’s former roommate, Brooke Slusser, was the one who first revealed that the player had admitted to being biologically male, according to pass.
Slusser claims in the lawsuit that she became concerned for her safety after discovering that Fleming was transgender, something she says she did not know despite sharing rooms on team trips.
The San Jose State co-captain also expressed concern about Fleming competing against female players on the court.
“Brooke estimates that Fleming’s spikes were traveling at more than 80 miles per hour, which was faster than he had ever seen a woman hit a volleyball,” Slusser’s complaint said.
“The girls were doing their best to dodge Fleming’s spikes, but they still couldn’t fully protect themselves.”
Boise State University women’s volleyball also joined in and lost a match, without providing a clear reason.
One of Fleming’s teammates, Brooke Slusser, says they admitted to being biologically male.
Riley Gaines, a longtime critic of trans athletes in women’s sports who has connections to both ICONS and Outkick, issued her own statement to the Fox-owned website after Boise State declined to play San Jose State last month.
“I congratulate the Boise State athletic department and everyone involved in the decision to forfeit their game against undefeated San Jose State,” Gaines wrote.
‘Some principles transcend victory on the court, and the safety and well-being of athletes is one of them.
‘It is encouraging to see how a growing number of institutions prioritize fairness and athlete safety over forced inclusion.
“I hope to see more universities follow the lead of Boise State and Southern Utah, standing up for what is right and protecting the integrity of women’s sports.”
Fleming currently ranks as the team’s second-best player, with 103 kills and 118.5 points this season.
Slusser joined the lawsuit against the NCAA because she feels uncomfortable with Fleming on the team, although she said she does not want the athlete to be bullied.
The NCAA already responded to an initial version of the lawsuit, saying plaintiffs cannot file a sex discrimination lawsuit against the organization because it is a regulatory body and not a state university.
The organization also said the women cannot penalize other state organizations simply for following NCAA rules.
According to the Cowboy State DiaryColorado State University and The University of Nevada-Reno have indicated that they are ready to play their game against San Jose State.
Other universities that have games scheduled include the University of New Mexico, the University of Las Vegas, Nevada, San Diego State University, the Air Force Academy and Fresno State University.