Boise State Women’s Volleyball Team’s Match Forfeited Due to Inclusion of Transgender Player

November 29, 2024 TruthUSA

San Jose State will now play in the championship match against either Colorado State or San Diego State.

The Boise State women’s volleyball team has forfeited a conference tournament match against San Jose State University, which has a transgender woman on its team.

“The decision to not continue to play in the 2024 Mountain West Volleyball Championship tournament was not an easy one,” Boise State said in a statement to news outlets. “Our team overcame forfeitures to earn a spot in the tournament field and fought for the win over Utah State in the first round on Wednesday. They should not have to forgo this opportunity while waiting for a more thoughtful and better system that serves all athletes.”

Boise State defeated Utah State on Nov. 27 in the quarterfinals of the Mountain West Conference women’s volleyball tournament. Boise State moved on to the semifinals to face San Jose State, which received a bye due to its record, including wins from earlier forfeits.

Boise State had previously forfeited two games against San Jose State.

Two Boise State players are plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed over the transgender player. The plaintiffs sought emergency court orders blocking the transgender player from participating in the tournament. A judge and an appeals court rejected the pleas, partly because the plaintiffs waited too long to make their requests.

The legal proceedings are still ongoing.

San Jose State will now compete in the championship match of the Mountain West tournament. The team will play against either Colorado State or San Diego State, who are competing in the other semifinal.

“While we are disappointed in Boise State’s decision, our women’s volleyball team is preparing for Saturday’s match and looks forward to competing for a championship,” San Jose State stated to news outlets.

Mountain West officials have confirmed that San Jose State’s team complies with conference eligibility requirements. These requirements are based on NCAA rules, allowing transgender athletes to compete if they meet specific criteria.

The plaintiffs in the lawsuit argue that these rules violate women’s right to equal opportunities in sports, as protected by Title IX, a federal law.

Judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit acknowledged that the plaintiffs have raised “a substantial question” that “may have merit,” although they determined that the group did not meet the requirements for emergency relief.

William Bock, an attorney for the plaintiffs, commented in a statement to news outlets, “The Court of Appeal’s acknowledgment that the Plaintiffs seem to have raised a substantial and meritorious legal claim… confirms the Plaintiffs’ belief that the harm caused to numerous women and women’s teams by a transgender individual competing in Mountain West Conference women’s college volleyball results from unlawful Conference and NCAA regulations leading to significant and ongoing violations of federal law.”

Source link