The San Jose State women’s volleyball team has found itself in an unfortunate predicament as a match has been scratched from its schedule for the seventh time this season, fueled by an ongoing national debate surrounding the inclusion of a transgender athlete within their ranks.
In a significant move, the University of Wyoming announced it is forfeiting its second match against the Spartans, which was scheduled for Friday. This follows Wyoming’s earlier forfeit against San Jose State at the beginning of October. Notably, this marks the first forfeit against the Spartans since the presidential election victory of Donald Trump.
In response to the forfeiture, San Jose State issued a statement to Fox News Digital, emphasizing their perspective on the issue. They expressed, “Our athletes all comply with NCAA and Mountain West Conference policies and are eligible to play under the rules of those organizations. Our volleyball team members have earned the right to compete, and we are deeply disappointed for them and with them that they are being denied those opportunities through cancellations and forfeits. We are also proud of how they have persevered through these challenges on the court.”
The forfeiting institutions include Southern Utah, Utah State, Nevada, and Boise State, with the latter forfeiting two matches against San Jose State.
Idaho’s state politics play a role, as Governor Brad Little has enacted an executive order to limit transgender participation in female sports. Before Boise State’s second cancellation, Little expressed certainty to Fox News Digital that the match would be forfeited, hinting at possible legal repercussions if it weren’t. San Jose State claims Boise State has since notified them about the forfeiture.
At the heart of this situation, San Jose State’s volleyball team is embroiled in national controversy and internal conflict. Team captain Brooke Slusser has taken legal action against the NCAA, citing discomfort with sharing personal spaces with her transgender teammate, Blaire Fleming, without prior knowledge of Fleming’s biological sex.
The team’s dynamics have shifted further as assistant coach Melissa Batie-Smoose was suspended after lodging a Title IX complaint that accused the university of favoritism towards Fleming over Slusser.
In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Slusser articulated her feelings of insecurity due to the university’s handling of the situation, which has escalated after receiving multiple threats against her life. She stated, “I think anyone can see that’s in my circle and in the gym that they’re not here to support me. They’re here to support Blaire.”
Slusser indicated that she felt isolated, stating, “I just have decided you can’t really trust anyone here,” and noted that Batie-Smoose was the only coach to support her through her lawsuit decision.
Following Batie-Smoose’s suspension, Slusser reported that the team was thrown into a state of distress, with members expressing fear and a sense of vulnerability without a supportive figure in the coaching staff. “And even one of my teammates was like, ‘I don’t feel safe anymore’ because there’s no one now that we feel like we can go and talk to about our concerns.”
Continuing her reflections, Slusser lamented her past openness with Fleming, indicating regret for not being informed about Fleming’s biological identity, which influenced her expressions of trust.
In light of these tensions, the team has been under police protection, with the university coordinating additional security measures for their away games. This proactive step reflects the serious nature of the threats aimed at Slusser and the team’s overall safety amidst rising tensions.
Fox News Digital posed inquiries to San Jose State about their strategies to address the threats, questioning whether digital forensics are being employed or if state or federal authorities have become involved. In response, the university communicated that they have urged students and faculty to report any troubling communications to be assessed and managed accordingly.
Beyond these immediate concerns, the team faces uncertainty regarding their postseason prospects, particularly as the upcoming Mountain West Tournament could feature matches against institutions like Wyoming, which have already forfeited.
In a broader context, discussions regarding transgender athletes are likely to intensify following Trump’s electoral victory, as he has signaled intentions to implement policies against transgender participation in women’s sports. Both Slusser and Governor Little have expressed their support for such measures.
Recent shifts in Democratic viewpoints towards transgender inclusion have emerged amid the ongoing election discourse. Notable figures like Massachusetts Democratic Rep. Seth Moulton and New York Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi have openly critiqued their party’s stance, indicating a potential shift that could limit opposition to actions aimed at preventing transgender athletes’ participation in women’s sports.
With Trump’s presidency on the horizon, the landscape surrounding transgender inclusion in women’s athletics appears poised for significant change, particularly with Democrats redefining their positions.
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**Interview with Brooke Slusser, Captain of the San Jose State Women’s Volleyball Team**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Brooke. You’re currently navigating some incredibly complex and emotional issues within your team and sport. Can you start by sharing how the ongoing national debate surrounding transgender athletes has affected your experience on the San Jose State women’s volleyball team?
**Brooke Slusser:** Thank you for having me. It’s been really tough. The situation has not only overshadowed our matches but has also deeply affected our team dynamics. While we’re all here to compete and support each other, the tension surrounding this debate has made it difficult to feel united. There are fears and insecurities that have seeped into our team environment.
**Interviewer:** You’ve mentioned feeling isolated and not feeling supported by your team as they seem to rally more behind your transgender teammate, Blaire Fleming. Can you explain how that dynamic has impacted you personally?
**Brooke Slusser:** Absolutely. It’s been an incredibly lonely experience. I’ve felt that support from others has shifted away from me towards Blaire, and that can be upsetting. It leads to this sense of distrust, and I often second-guess who in my circle I can really confide in. It’s hard to feel safe when I don’t believe anyone fully understands my perspective or what I’m going through.
**Interviewer:** You’ve filed a legal action against the NCAA regarding your discomfort in sharing personal spaces with Blaire. Can you describe what led to this decision?
**Brooke Slusser:** The decision wasn’t easy, but I felt that I had to advocate for my rights and comfort as an athlete. I believe it’s important for everyone to be included, but I also believe in the importance of transparency. I wish I would have been informed about these dynamics beforehand; it would have made a significant difference in how I approached my relationship with Blaire.
**Interviewer:** Following your legal action, the university suspended your assistant coach Melissa Batie-Smoose after she filed a Title IX complaint regarding favoritism. How has this affected the team and your sense of security?
**Brooke Slusser:** It’s thrown the team into a state of distress. Coach Batie-Smoose was one of the few who really listened and supported me. Without her, many of us feel vulnerable and unsure of where to turn with our concerns. One teammate even expressed that she no longer feels safe. It’s heartbreaking to see our team fractured in this way.
**Interviewer:** There have been serious threats made against you, leading to increased security measures. How does this environment impact your focus on the sport?
**Brooke Slusser:** It’s hard to concentrate on volleyball when you’re worried about personal safety. Knowing that we have police protection is reassuring, but the underlying stress still lingers. We want to focus on our game, but there’s this looming anxiety that affects us all.
**Interviewer:** With all of these challenges, what do you hope for moving forward—for yourself, your team, and the ongoing conversations about inclusion in sports?
**Brooke Slusser:** I hope for understanding and dialogue. It’s critical that we can find a way to respect everyone’s rights while also considering the needs and feelings of all athletes. Ideally, I want to be in a space where I feel safe and supported while competing. This can’t continue as it is — there’s too much at stake for every athlete involved.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences, Brooke. Your persistence in advocating for your needs and feelings in this situation is commendable, and we appreciate your openness during this challenging time.
**Brooke Slusser:** Thank you for giving me the platform to express my thoughts. It is important for us to keep having these conversations.
