San Jose State University's women's volleyball team was at the center of a controversy in 2024 due to the participation of transgender athlete Blaire Fleming, prompting several Mountain West Conference opponents to forfeit matches. Macey Boggs, a former University of Wyoming player, described in a recent interview how the decision to forfeit two scheduled matches against San Jose State divided her team and strained friendships among teammates.[1]
The University of Wyoming Cowgirls were set to face the San Jose State Spartans on Oct. 5, 2024, and later in the season as part of the Mountain West schedule. Utah State became the first conference team to forfeit against San Jose State on Sept. 28, 2024, followed by Wyoming and three others, resulting in five forfeits that season.[2][3]
Boggs said players learned of Fleming's participation in spring 2024, after having competed against the athlete two years prior. An anonymous player vote initially favored playing the matches, but Boggs and others planned not to participate. Wyoming Athletic Director Tom Burman ultimately decided to forfeit, as announced on Oct. 4, 2024.[1][4]
A Wyoming athletics statement confirmed the decision was made by the athletic director and university president amid pressure from both sides and team divisions. "The team was divided on what was the best approach," the statement said. Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon supported the forfeit, stating on Oct. 4, 2024: "It is important we stand for integrity and fairness in female athletics."[1][5]
The forfeits contributed to Wyoming's overall record of 17-13, with the team losing six of its last nine matches and finishing two wins short of the Mountain West Conference tournament.[2] Boggs, a senior, noted the impact on teammates' stats and playoff hopes during difficult locker room discussions.
In November 2024, Boggs and teammates Sierra Grizzle and Jordan Sandy joined a lawsuit filed by former San Jose State player Brooke Slusser against the Mountain West Conference, San Jose State, and the California State University system, alleging Title IX violations. U.S. District Judge Kato Jamsheed Crews partially dismissed the case in March 2025, dropping claims against the conference but preserving Title IX claims against San Jose State and CSU pending related litigation.[6]
Separately, the U.S. Department of Education under the Trump administration investigated San Jose State for Title IX compliance regarding Fleming. After finding violations, San Jose State and CSU sued the department. On March 11, 2025, Education Secretary Linda McMahon issued a 10-day deadline for resolution or risk funding cuts and Justice Department referral.[7]
Sources
- Fox News Digital. "Former Wyoming volleyball player reveals how trans scandal tore her team apart." March 20, 2025. https://www.foxnews.com/sports/former-wyoming-volleyball-player-reveals-trans-scandal-tore-team-apart
- GoWyo.com (Wyoming Athletics). "Wyoming Volleyball Forfeits Two Matches Against San José State." October 4, 2024. https://gowyo.com/news/2024/10/4/wyoming-volleyball-forfeits-two-matches-against-san-jose-state
- Mountain West Conference. "2024 Women's Volleyball Standings." Accessed March 2025. https://mountainwest.sportswave.com/sports/wvball/2024-25/standings
- WyoFile. "UW faces pressure from both sides over whether to forfeit volleyball match." October 2024. https://wyofile.com/uw-faces-pressure-from-both-sides-over-volleyball-forfeit/
- Office of the Governor, Wyoming. "Gov. Gordon Statement on UW Athletics Decision." October 4, 2024. https://governor.wyo.gov/press-releases/2024/october/gov-gordon-statement-on-uw-athletics-decision
- U.S. District Court, District of Nevada. "Slusser et al v. Mountain West Conference et al, Case 2:24-cv-01778." March 2025 ruling. https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67894512/slusser-v-mountain-west-conference/
- U.S. Department of Education. "Letter to San Jose State University." March 11, 2025. https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/department-education-gives-san-jose-state-university-10-days-comply-title-ix