Controversy Between Transgender Athlete and Teammate at SJSU
Blair Fleming, a well-known transgender athlete, has raised concerns regarding former teammate Brooke Slusser’s lifestyle and academic performance. Slusser, however, denies these allegations.
On the anniversary of San Jose State’s last championship game loss, Slusser shared that she had developed an eating disorder, leading to anorexia and loss of menstrual cycles. She attributes her condition to stress experienced during her last season with Fleming in 2024. Following a revelation about Fleming’s transgender identity, Slusser filed several lawsuits, highlighting their shared living arrangements during their first season.
Slusser left the San Jose State campus and withdrew from classes this past spring, citing harassment from fellow students who opposed her views, which left her feeling “unsafe.” Despite the challenges, she and her family are focused on completing their degrees.
In response to an inquiry from Fox News Digital, Fleming addressed Slusser’s claims, stating that she had struggled with anorexia for a long time, reportedly weighing herself multiple times a day.
Slusser contested Fleming’s statements, insisting she has maintained a healthy lifestyle and was dedicated to her athletic performance until a series of events led to a drastic change. She declared that she had opted to stay home after the fall of 2024 to focus on her recovery rather than re-enroll at San Jose State.
Fleming previously discussed her mental health in a profile, revealing feelings of despair during the 2024 season. In light of this, Slusser commented on Fleming’s situation, calling it “terrible.”
Background on Blair Fleming
Fleming, who was born male, transitioned socially and medically by the age of 14. Known for her robust performance in volleyball during high school, she went on to play at Coastal Carolina before transferring to SJSU for the 2022 season.
Escalation of the Situation
After transferring to SJSU, Slusser alleges she was unaware of Fleming’s gender at birth. She claims the team leadership facilitated their shared accommodations during travel, which has become a point of contention in her lawsuit against the NCAA and the Mountain West Conference.
The fallout from these events has gained significant media attention, including reactions from political figures and groups advocating for fairness in sports. Amidst rising tensions, police protection was allocated to the team due to escalating concerns for their safety.
In November, Slusser filed another lawsuit against the Mountain West, seeking to challenge a decision regarding Fleming’s eligibility to play. Despite the controversies, both Slusser and Fleming were named to the all-conference team at the season’s end.
Following a difficult championship game defeat, Slusser withdrew from campus, needing to reassess her situation. She has recently pursued coaching youth volleyball in North Carolina, focusing on her health and academic endeavors, including a future career in nutrition.
Fleming appeared to celebrate her graduation from SJSU, while ongoing investigations into Title IX violations at the university continue.
