In a bold move that signals growing resistance to transgender inclusion in women’s sports, the University of Wyoming has become the third school this season to forfeit a scheduled women’s volleyball match against San Jose State University. Wyoming follows Boise State and Southern Utah in making this stand, refusing to take the court and sparking a larger conversation about fairness, safety, and the future of women’s sports.
The controversy centers around Blaire Fleming, a transgender female athlete who competes for San Jose State’s volleyball team. Fleming, a redshirt junior and standout player, has sparked concerns among opponents and teammates alike. But the decision to forfeit goes deeper than one player—it reflects a larger pushback against what many see as an unfair encroachment on women’s sports by biological males.
In a statement, Wyoming explained their decision without specifically mentioning Fleming but made it clear they were following Mountain West Conference policy, which officially recorded the match as a forfeit and a loss for Wyoming. However, the underlying issues are undeniable.
San Jose State, on the other hand, expressed disappointment, releasing a statement lamenting the fact that their athletes, “who are in full compliance with NCAA and Mountain West rules,” are being denied opportunities to compete. The school framed the forfeitures as challenges to creating an “inclusive, fair, safe, and respectful environment.”
But the growing list of schools taking a stand suggests that the real issue is not one of inclusion, but fairness—especially for the biological women competing on the court. Concerns over safety and fairness have only intensified as more female athletes come forward with stories of discomfort and fear about competing against athletes who were born male.
One such athlete, Brooke Slusser of San Jose State’s volleyball team, has joined 18 other athletes in a lawsuit against the NCAA, challenging its current gender identity policies. Slusser’s lawsuit details her fears after learning that her teammate, Fleming, was transgender. According to court documents, Slusser was not informed of Fleming’s status until after they had shared hotel rooms during team trips. More alarmingly, Slusser expressed concerns over the physical safety of players, stating that Fleming’s spikes were clocking in at speeds upwards of 80 mph—far faster than she had ever seen a biological female hit the ball.
This case echoes a broader movement, with female athletes from other sports stepping forward to voice similar fears and frustrations. Former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines, who has been vocal about her experiences competing against transgender swimmer Lia Thomas, praised Boise State’s decision to forfeit against San Jose State, framing it as a stand for fairness and athlete safety. “Some principles transcend winning on the court,” Gaines said, commending Boise State for prioritizing the well-being of female athletes over what she sees as “forced inclusion.”
The conservative pushback against transgender inclusion in women’s sports has gained significant momentum, especially in states like Idaho, where Governor Brad Little has led the charge. Idaho, one of the most proactive states in protecting women’s sports from biological male athletes, passed the “Defending Women’s Sports Act,” which bars transgender women from competing in girls’ and women’s sports in public schools. In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Governor Little underscored his commitment to defending the advances women have made through Title IX.
While the Biden administration has attempted to expand Title IX protections to cover gender identity and sexual orientation, Little and other conservative lawmakers are fighting back. The administration’s sweeping changes, which took effect in August, faced immediate opposition, with GOP leaders pushing for clarity and fairness in athletic eligibility. These efforts have now extended beyond the legislative arena, as individual schools like Wyoming, Boise State, and Southern Utah take stands of their own.
The forfeits signal that the battle over transgender inclusion in women’s sports is far from over. Despite claims from the Biden administration that the new Title IX regulations won’t affect athletic eligibility, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Female athletes, coaches, and schools are pushing back, and the growing resistance suggests that this issue will continue to be a flashpoint in the ongoing culture war.
With Wyoming joining the fight, the movement is clearly gaining steam. As more schools and athletes stand up for fairness and the integrity of women’s sports, the pressure on organizations like the NCAA to reconsider their policies will only intensify. This is not just about one athlete or one game—this is about the future of women’s sports and ensuring that biological women can compete on a level playing field.
