Sports are something that really gets our attention and when something interesting happens, it really causes us to focus in that direction. This recently happened when a volleyball match was forfeited.
It took place when the University of Nevada, Reno, forfeited an upcoming volleyball match against a California team, San Jose State University. They did so because of a transgender player on the team, Blair Fleming.
The University of Nevada, Reno was not the only team to forfeit against San Jose State University. Utah State University also forfeited a match. It may have gone in the win column for both of those matches, but it certainly was not a win.
The Nevadan academic establishment said in an official statement: “The players’ decision and statement were made independently and without consultation with the University or the athletic department.
“The players’ decision also does not represent the position of the University.
“The University and its athletic programs are governed by the Nevada Constitution and Nevada law, which strictly protect equality of rights under the law, and that equality of rights shall not be denied or abridged by this state or any of its subdivisions on account of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, ancestry or national origin.
“The University is also governed by federal law as well as the rules and regulations of the [National Collegiate Athletic Association] and the Mountain West Conference, which include providing competition in an inclusive and supportive environment.
“The University intends to move forward with the match as scheduled, and the players may choose not to participate in the match on the day of the contest.
“No players will be subject to any team disciplinary action for their decision not to participate in the match.”
Some other teams had forfeited matches against the Spartans but it is different with the Wolf Pack. They made the decision to forfeit the match before they went out on the court.
According to the team: “We, the University of Nevada Reno women’s volleyball team, forfeit against San Jose State University and stand united in solidarity with the volleyball teams of Southern Utah University, Boise State University, the University of Wyoming, and Utah State University.
“We demand that our right to safety and fair competition on the court be upheld. We refuse to participate in any match that advances injustice against female athletes.”
According to a senior who plays for the Wolf Pack, Sia Liilii: “We were actually in Las Vegas preparing for our match against UNLV, our in-state rival. It was a really frustrating time, especially because we were about to go and play a big game.”
In order to promote a lawsuit filed against Blair, who is a senior participating for San Jose, Utah State University had forfeited the match. The lawsuit states that she violated a law that disallows transgender players from competing women’s sports.
There are a number of laws in the United States that prohibit transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports as well. Those laws restrict those who participate based on biological sex rather than the gender they identify with.
Utah State also released a statement, saying: “Utah State University will not participate in its scheduled October 23, 2024, volleyball match at San Jose State University. The University will abide by Mountain West Conference policy regarding how this match is recorded.”
Other universities have also forfeited against San Jose, including Southern Utah, Boise State, and the University of Wyoming.
There are advocacy groups who are upset with the volleyball games being canceled after they were scheduled because of the gender identity of Blair. This included someone from the LGBTQ+ rights group Equality California, who said that the decision is ‘rooted in transphobia and not reality.’