Air Force Academy security prevented fans from wearing “Keep Women's Sports Female” shirts during Saturday's women's volleyball game against San Jose State University.
Video obtained by OutKick The moment a security official told fan John Kopecky that he had to pull down the zipper on his sweatshirt to reveal the text on the T-shirt underneath. Kopecky complied, and after reading his uniform, security said he could not show it during the game.
Kopecky told Outkick the reason was because his shirt had a “political” message, which is not allowed.
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(John W. McDonough/NCAA Photo via Getty Images)
“That was unusual because I had never before been asked to unzip a hoodie and get inside,” Kopecky told Outkick.
The San Jose State women's volleyball team has made national headlines after several schools chose to cancel games against the Spartans due to transgender player Blair Fleming being on the roster. It has become a hot topic.
Kopecky continued to explain the situation at the Air Force Academy game, saying that security allowed him to enter the game but warned him not to remove his sweatshirt or he would be asked to leave.
San Jose State women's volleyball trans player raises eyebrows with harsh spikes during game against New Mexico
“I saw the security guard pointing me out to the supervisor.” [and] “I saw the commander, and out of the corner of my eye I saw them pointing to where I was sitting,” he explained.
Kopecky said there were other different procedures for this game against the Spartans compared to other Air Force home volleyball games in the past. First, instead of the Academy's usual policy of not allowing “unapproved banners/signs (no signs larger than 18″ x 24”), there was a banner telling fans that no autographs were allowed. .
Kopecky also said that although he may not have noticed it before, there was a large board with the fan code of conduct that he couldn't miss.
“They brought out a big board with all the rules about fan conduct, which may have been there in the past, but I've never seen it.” [displayed] It’s right at the door,” he said.
San Jose State setter Brooke Slusser, front left, libero Randylyn Reeves, outside hitter during the first set of an NCAA college volleyball game against Colorado State University in Ft., Oct. 3, 2024, in Ft. Blair Fleming celebrates scoring with libero Alessia Buffani. Collins, Colorado. (AP Photo/David Zarbowski)
After hearing Kopecky's claims, the Air Force Academy issued a statement to Outkick stating that, for security reasons, fans will be required to unzip their sweatshirts and remove their jackets to reveal what they are wearing underneath. He did not answer specific questions such as whether or not.
“Air Force Athletics will take the necessary steps to provide a safe environment for athletes, coaches, staff, and fans at all home sporting events,” the statement reads.
San Jose State defeated Air Force 3-1 in the match, with Fleming leading the Spartans with 10 kills.
In the previous game against New Mexico, Fleming made headlines for one of his 18 kills in that game nailing the Lobos' libero after a spike, which raised some eyebrows from social media users.
It is not uncommon for a spike to hit an opponent in the face during a volleyball match, but many believe that Fleming's jumping ability and power made the spike more likely to cause injury.
Kopecky told Outkick that her view of Fleming's jumping ability was “very, very different” from other female athletes.
“It was just like, “Wow, there's something you don't see in everyday women's volleyball games.'' [Fleming was] “He's surprisingly more athletic than normal,” he said.
Fleming's presence on the Spartans' women's volleyball team has caused a lot of controversy this season, including one of her teammates filing a lawsuit against the NCAA.
Teams scheduled to play the Spartans, including Southern Utah, Utah State and Boise State, also chose to cancel their games, understanding it would be a loss on their schedule.
air force falcons flag (Kevin Abel/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Mountain West Conference Commissioner Gloria Nevarez recently expressed how heartbroken she was by the controversy.
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“It's heartbreaking for me as a person on both sides of this issue, as a young person, as a student-athlete, who is receiving so much negative national attention,” she said. “That doesn't seem right to me.”
Fox News' Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.
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