Boise, Idaho – The women’s volleyball team at Boise State University has decided to withdraw from their Mountain West Conference Championship tournament match against San Jose State University in the midst of a controversial issue surrounding the gender of a player from SJSU. The Boise State Broncos opted not to provide a specific reason for their withdrawal, which comes after boycotting two regular-season matches against the San Jose State Spartans. As a result of these withdrawals, SJSU received a total of six forfeit victories from Mountain West opponents throughout the season.
Boise State released a statement on Wednesday expressing the difficulty of their decision to not continue competing in the 2024 Mountain West Volleyball Championship tournament. Despite overcoming forfeitures to earn a spot in the tournament field, the team decided to withdraw while advocating for a fairer system to benefit all athletes. The player at the center of the controversy at SJSU has not issued any public comments on the matter, leading to speculations and debates regarding the issue.
The controversy surrounding SJSU’s player has led to several other teams canceling games against them during the season, including Wyoming, Utah State, Nevada, and Southern Utah. The cancellations are reportedly linked to rumors suggesting that SJSU has a transgender player on their roster. Political figures have also weighed in on the debate, with Republican governors from multiple states supporting the decisions of women’s volleyball teams to withdraw from games against SJSU in the name of fairness in women’s sports.
In response to the escalating situation, Mountain West Conference Commissioner Gloria Nevarez defended the eligibility of the student-athlete in question to compete in women’s collegiate sports, emphasizing the importance of fairness and respect for all individuals involved. Despite legal actions taken by players from various schools within the conference to prevent the player from competing, federal courts have ruled in favor of allowing the player to continue participating.
Earlier in the week, Boise State secured a victory over Utah State to reach the semifinals, showcasing the team’s determination and skills on the court. On the other hand, San Jose State, as the No. 2 seed in the tournament, now advances to the final, where they will face either No. 1 Colorado State or No. 5 San Diego State. The intense competition and controversies surrounding the tournament have sparked debates and conversations around gender equality and fairness in collegiate sports.