Judge makes ruling in case that decided fate of San Jose State’s transgender volleyball controversy

A federal judge ruled Monday that members of the San Jose State women's volleyball team, which has been at the center of transgender controversy, can participate in the Mountain West Conference tournament starting Wednesday, according to the New York Times.

The decision by President Biden-appointed Judge S. Kato Cruz of the U.S. District Court for Colorado comes amid a national transgender controversy over Blair Fleming, a redshirt senior who joined the Spartans in 2022. was lowered.

“San Jose State University continues to support our student-athletes and rejects all forms of discrimination.” the university said in a statement to Outkick. After the verdict. “All student-athletes at San Jose State University are eligible to participate in sports under NCAA and Mountain West Conference rules.

“We are pleased that the court rejected our 11th-hour attempt to change these rules. Our team looks forward to competing in the Mountain West Volleyball Tournament this week.”

The ruling comes after players, including those at San Jose State University, and the Spartans' suspended associate head coach, Melissa Batty Smooth, claimed the university threatened them to stay silent about the incident. This was issued in response to a lawsuit filed. situation.

Batey Smooth filed a Title IX complaint alleging that SJSU's transgender inclusion policies create a toxic environment for female athletes, and alleges that the university openly favors Fleming, according to officials. He was suspended from school earlier this month. Complaint obtained by Quillette.

The Mountain West Women's Volleyball Championship also includes Fresno State, San Diego State, Utah State, Boise State and Colorado State.

Boise State and Utah State, among other teams, had previously canceled games against the Division I team Spartans this season, giving SJSU six wins with a bye.

The plaintiffs argued that allowing the athlete to participate in the tournament amounted to discrimination that denied women equal opportunities, and sought an injunction to stop the athlete from competing.

Fleming has not addressed the issue publicly.

San Jose State has not yet confirmed whether its women's volleyball team has transgender players, citing educational privacy laws. According to the New York Times.

Brooke Slusser, the Spartans' team co-captain and Fleming's former roommate, previously spoke out against Fleming during the regular season and also participated in the lawsuit.

in Outkick interviewSlusser, a junior starting setter, said she and the team are concerned about who will protect their voices after Batty Smooth's suspension.