By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-12-21 15:12:00 | Updated at 2024-12-22 06:08:41
15 hours ago
San Jose State's women's volleyball team has been rocked by a mass exodus of players at the end of a season marred by the controversy surrounding trans player Blaire Fleming.
Multiple opponents refused to play against SJSU in the 2024 season amid concerns over Fleming, who is a biological male, which allowed the Spartans to progress to the postseason with a 12-6 conference record after picking up seven victories by forfeit.
The redshirt senior's inclusion on the team was the subject of fierce debate throughout the campaign, with a number of women's college volleyball players - including some of their teammates - even filing a lawsuit seeking to block them from participating.
That lawsuit was ultimately rejected by a federal judge, allowing Fleming to play in every game on SJSU's run to the championship game last month.
And in light of the controversy over their trans teammate, the San Francisco Chronicle (via Fox News) is reporting that seven Spartans players have now entered the transfer portal.
The team is preparing itself for a mass exodus despite Fleming being out of eligibility after completing a fourth collegiate season in 2024.
SJSU's women's volleyball team has suffered a mass exodus after the Blaire Fleming saga
The inclusion of Fleming, who is a biological male, on SJSU's team sparked major controversy
In a statement given to Fox News, SJSU has addressed the wave of players who have opted to transfer ahead of the 2025 season, insisting they fully respect their decision.
'Student athletes have the ability to make decisions about their college athletic careers, and we have the utmost respect for that,' the statement read.
Head coach Todd Kress recently admitted the 2024 season was one of the 'most difficult' of his life amid the controversy over Fleming, while also previously hitting out at trolls who were targeting several members of the team.
'I have immense pride in the fact that we competed as a team all season long. These players put their love for the game above all else to play as a team each and every match,' Kress said.
'This has been one of the most difficult seasons I’ve ever experienced, and I know this is true as well for many of our players and the staff who have been supporting us all along.
'Maintaining our focus on the court and ensuring the overall safety and well-being of my players amid the external noise have been my priorities.'
Despite concerns over Fleming, SJSU suffered defeat against Colorado State in the Mountain West tournament final last month.
The trans athlete failed to sign off from college volleyball on a high after losing 27-25, 25-20, 23-25, 25-16, a result which cost the Spartans the conference's automatic bid to the 64-team NCAA Tournament.
Now seven of Fleming's teammates have entered the transfer portal while seeking a move
SJSU coach Todd Kress admitted the 2024 season was one of the 'most difficult' of his life
The Biden administration has withdrawn a proposed rule change over trans athletes in schools
Following a contentious season of women's volleyball, schools will retain the right to decide which teams trans athletes can join after the latest U-turn from outgoing president Joe Biden.
The Biden administration on Friday withdrew a proposed rule change that would have stopped schools from banning trans athletes from teams matching their gender identities.
The administration notified the public that it had withdrawn the proposed rule in the Federal Register.
The administration had proposed the rule in April 2023, inviting the public to comment. It said on Friday that it had received more than 150,000 public replies.
Many of the comments were against the proposed rule, the administration wrote in its Federal Register filing. That, along with multiple pending lawsuits related to gender identity and sports, led the administration 'not to regulate on this issue at this time.'
