Blair Fleming, a transgender volleyball player representing San Jose State University (SJSU), will be allowed to compete in the Mountain West Conference Tournament after a judge ruled in her favor on Monday (Nov. 25). The ruling by U.S. District Judge S. Kato Cruz came after several opposing players, as well as Fleming’s teammates, filed a lawsuit against the team and tournament organizers for allowing the transgender athlete to play in the women’s tournament. The plaintiffs claimed that university and conference officials violated their Title IX rights, which ensure that men and women are treated fairly in educational settings, including collegiate sports.
However, in delivering the ruling, Mr Cruz said the purpose of the temporary injunctive relief is to maintain the status quo pending the outcome of the trial, but the order to remove Fleming would disrupt that. Additionally, the decision ensures that any loss by the opposing team will mean an automatic win for the San Jose State volleyball team.
The Mountain West Conference finals begin Wednesday (Nov. 27) in Las Vegas. In the league stage, Boise State, Wyoming, Utah State and Nevada were among the Mountain West schools that lost their matches against San Jose State due to Fleming’s presence.
Those losses helped Fleming’s team reach the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament, earning them a berth in the semi-finals. In its Final Four matchup, San Jose State will face either Utah State or Boise State, who are set to face off in the quarterfinal matchup. On the other side of the bracket, Colorado State has the No. 1 seed and played both of its matches against San Jose State in the regular season.
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Following the hearing, SJSU said in a statement that they would continue to support their student and that Fleming would participate in the series finals.
The school was quoted as saying, “San Jose State University will continue to support its student-athletes and reject discrimination in all forms. All San Jose State University student-athletes play their sports under NCAA and Mountain West Conference rules. are eligible to participate.” By Fox News Digital.
“We are gratified that the court rejected an eleventh-hour attempt to change those rules. Our team looks forward to competing in the Mountain West Volleyball Tournament this week.”
According to Riley Goins, a former University of Kentucky swimmer known for campaigning against trans women’s participation in women’s sports, the girls were planning to “appeal the ruling.”
