San Jose State women's volleyball team faces multiple opponent forfeits after lawsuit alleges trans player
The San Jose State women's volleyball team this week had its fourth game canceled by opponents for reason that have not been specified. However, the forfeits follow claims in a lawsuit that one of the players on the team is transgender.
The Utah State Aggies announced Wednesday the decision to forfeit their Oct. 23 Mountain West Conference game. Boise State already forfeited its game on Sept. 28 against the unbeaten Spartans (9-0, 2-0 Mountain West) and Wyoming followed suit this week, announcing the game slated for Saturday was now a 3-0 forfeit win for San Jose State.
On Sept. 14, Southern Utah became the first school not to take the floor against San Jose State, with the result listed as "canceled" on the conference's website. An email sent to Southern Utah wasn't returned. In follow-up emails to Boise State and Wyoming, the schools referred back to their original statements.
Political figures from Wyoming, Idaho and Utah have weighed in and suggested the forfeits centered around protecting women's sports.
I am in full support of the decision by @wyoathletics to forego playing its volleyball match against San Jose State. It is important we stand for integrity and fairness in female athletics.
— Governor Mark Gordon (@GovernorGordon) October 1, 2024
The NCAA is being sued over its policy on transgender women competing in women's sports. The lawsuit accuses the NCAA of violating female athletes' Title IX rights by allowing transgender women to compete. The plaintiffs say they "bring this case to secure for future generations of women the promise of Title IX that is being denied them and other college women" by the NCAA.
One of the SJSU volleyball players, Brooke Slusser, recently joined the suit, claiming that one of her teammates she roomed with is transgender.
San Jose State declined through a spokesperson an interview request for any of the players or coaches. Mountain West officials declined to comment.
The Spartans play Thursday night against Colorado State in Fort Collins, Colorado. After that, the team won't play again until Oct. 10 at home against San Diego State.