San Jose State University has finally acknowledged that it has lost a significant number of women from its volleyball team amid ongoing controversy over the school's decision to include transgender players.
This mass exodus includes at least seven players who entered the college transfer portal and will be leaving the team after this 2024 academic year.
SJSU's volleyball season was marred by protests against the school for allowing transgender player Blair Fleming to play as a woman on the team. There were eight other games, including one playoff game, where police took great care to prevent angry protesters from harming SJSU players, not to mention the chaos among the players who opposed Fleming's participation. There were many other pressures, including the confiscation of the and coach Todd Kress and the school that forced Fleming on his players.
Kress declared the 2024 season to be one of the “most difficult” he has ever faced.
“This has been one of the most difficult seasons I've ever experienced, and I know this is also true for many of our players and staff who have supported us all along. Court My priority was to maintain focus and ensure the overall safety and well-being of our players despite the outside noise.” Cress saidaccording to FOX News.
But Kress also slammed the school for denying him a spot on the team over Fleming's participation, angrily claiming: “We're not taking away anyone's opportunity.”
The only reason SJSU remained in the Mountain West Conference Championship is that they “won” so many games because so many of their opponents forfeited. But in the end, SJSU lost to Colorado State in the NCAA tournament game, leaving them empty handed for the championship.
Fleming will graduate this year and finish out his college career, so he won't be back next year. But that hasn't stopped many girls from leaving school during this controversial year.
Not all of the team's coaches supported Fleming. In early November, the school suspended assistant coach Melissa Batty Smooth, who opposed Fleming's inclusion on the team.
The school has also been accused of several lawsuits over its treatment of female students who opposed Fleming. And one lawsuit alleges that Fleming conspired with other players to target and physically harm critics.
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