Keep it up, ladies! So proud of you!
— Jack Grant Penn 🧭 (@JackLaw48203440) November 28, 2024
The Boise State Broncos women’s volleyball team forfeited their semifinal match against San Jose State in the Mountain West Conference tournament on November 28, 2024. The reason? The presence of Blaire Fleming, a biological male who identifies as female, on the San Jose State team.
Boise State had already forfeited two previous regular-season matches against San Jose State due to the same issue. The decision to forfeit the semifinal was made after the Broncos earned their spot in the tournament. Despite overcoming significant challenges to make it this far, they chose to stand up for what they believe is right, sending a clear message about fairness in women’s sports.
This controversial decision came after legal action was taken in Colorado by players from various schools who filed a lawsuit against the Mountain West Conference and San Jose State officials, demanding that Blaire Fleming be declared ineligible for the tournament. A Colorado court ruled in favor of Fleming, allowing her to continue competing, despite the strong objections from many athletes and fans who feel the presence of transgender athletes in women’s sports is unfair.
Boise State’s decision to forfeit wasn’t taken lightly. In a statement, the team expressed their disappointment but emphasized that they were fighting for a system that serves all athletes. “The decision to not continue to play in the 2024 Mountain West Volleyball Championship tournament was not an easy one. 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,” said the team.
The forfeiture allowed San Jose State to advance to the championship match, but the controversy surrounding it only highlights the growing tensions in collegiate sports regarding fairness and the inclusion of transgender athletes. Supporters of Boise State’s decision argue that biological males should not compete in women’s sports, while others advocate for more inclusivity in the athletic realm. Either way, the debate is far from over, and Boise State has shown they’re willing to take a stand for their beliefs, even when it comes at a cost.
The sports world is changing, but is it for the better? The actions of the Boise State Broncos will likely inspire others to consider the implications of including transgender athletes in women’s competitions.
https://www.espn.com/volleyball/story/_/id/30484561/boise-state-broncos-forfeit-match-protest
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/boise-state-forfeits-match-transgender-player-protest-rcna11956
https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/29/sports/boise-state-san-jose-state-volleyball-forfeit/index.html
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