San Jose State University faces a March 21, 2025, deadline to resolve a U.S. Department of Education finding of Title IX violations related to its women's volleyball program, following a letter from Education Secretary Linda McMahon on March 11.[1][2] Former University of Wyoming player Macey Boggs recounted in a recent interview how her team's debates over forfeiting matches to SJSU amid the 2024 transgender athlete controversy divided the squad.[3]
The controversy centered on Blaire Fleming, a transgender woman on the SJSU roster who had competed previously against Wyoming players.[3][4] Wyoming was scheduled to play SJSU twice in 2024, with the first match set for October 5 at home in Laramie, Wyoming.[5][6] Boggs said players learned of Fleming's status in spring 2024, leading to tension ahead of the fall matches.[3]
An anonymous player vote favored playing, but Boggs and others planned not to participate, citing concerns over fairness despite potential impacts on records and playoff chances.[3] Wyoming finished the season 17-13 overall and two wins short of the Mountain West Conference tournament, which qualified the top six teams; the forfeits were recorded as losses.[5][7]
Before players informed coaches, athletic director Tom Burman announced the forfeits had been decided by university leadership, a move Boggs said relieved internal conflict.[3][5] Wyoming Athletics stated the decision aimed to address a divisive situation, with pressure from both sides, and denied state government intervention.[3][5] Governor Mark Gordon supported the forfeits on October 4, 2024, emphasizing fairness in women's sports.[8]
Boggs said the disagreements ended some friendships and shifted team unity.[3] In November 2024, she and teammates Sierra Grizzle and Jordan Sandy joined a lawsuit filed by former SJSU player Brooke Slusser against the Mountain West Conference, SJSU, and California State University system, alleging Title IX violations.[3][9]
U.S. District Judge Kato J. Crews dismissed claims against the Mountain West in March 2025 but allowed Title IX claims against SJSU and CSU to proceed, pending related cases.[3][9] SJSU and CSU challenged the Department of Education's findings in federal court.[1][2]
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education, "Secretary McMahon Sets Deadline for San Jose State University in Title IX Compliance", March 11, 2025, https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/secretary-mcmahon-sets-deadline-san-jose-state-university-title-ix-compliance
- Inside Higher Ed, "Trump Education Secretary Issues Ultimatum to San Jose State Over Trans Athlete", March 12, 2025, https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2025/03/12/trump-ed-sec-issues-ultimatum-san-jose-state-trans-athlete
- Fox News Digital, "Former Wyoming volleyball star says team was 'torn apart' over decision to forfeit to SJSU", March 20, 2025, https://www.foxnews.com/sports/former-wyoming-volleyball-star-macey-boggs-team-torn-apart-sjsu-forfeit
- Mountain West Conference, "2024 Volleyball Standings and Notes", accessed April 2025, https://mountainwest.org/sports/wvball/standings
- University of Wyoming Athletics, "Wyoming Announces Forfeit of Volleyball Matches Against San Jose State", October 4, 2024, https://gowyo.com/news/2024/10/4/volleyball-wyoming-announces-forfeit-of-volleyball-matches-against-san-jose-state.aspx
- San Jose State Athletics, "2024 Volleyball Schedule", accessed April 2025, https://sjsuspartans.com/sports/womens-volleyball/schedule/2024
- University of Wyoming Athletics, "2024 Women's Volleyball Final Statistics", December 2024, https://gowyo.com/sports/womens-volleyball/stats/2024
- Office of the Governor, State of Wyoming, "Gov. Gordon Statement on UW Athletics Decision", October 4, 2024, https://governor.wyo.gov/press-releases/2024/10/04/gov-gordon-statement-on-uw-athletics-decision
- PACER, "Slusser et al v. Mountain West Conference et al, Case 3:24-cv-XXXX (D. Nev.)", Docket entry March 2025, https://www.pacer.gov (docket summary)
