Mountain West Conference Commissioner Gloria Nevarez expressed her disappointment over the recent forfeitures by volleyball teams unwilling to play against San Jose State. Four teams, including Boise State, Southern Utah, Utah State, and Wyoming, have canceled games against the Spartans without explicitly stating their reasons. The Nevada players also issued a statement indicating their refusal to play against San Jose State, citing safety and fair competition concerns.
Despite the cancellations, New Mexico proceeded with their match against San Jose State, resulting in the Spartans' first victory in over a month. The issue has garnered national attention, with Republican governors and former President Donald Trump weighing in on the debate surrounding transgender athletes in women's sports.
San Jose State coach Todd Kress emphasized that playing volleyball serves as a 'safe haven' for his team, despite facing hate messages and external pressures. The cancellations could impact teams' eligibility for the upcoming conference tournament in Las Vegas, where the top six schools are set to compete for the league championship.
While some teams have chosen to forfeit matches against San Jose State, others, like New Mexico, have opted to continue playing, prioritizing competition and improvement. The Spartans are scheduled to play Air Force next before their potentially contentious match in Reno on October 26.
Despite the challenges faced by San Jose State, Coach Kress highlighted the resilience of his student-athletes and condemned the hate messages directed at them. The ongoing situation underscores the complexities surrounding gender identity and fairness in collegiate athletics, with external influences adding further pressure to an already contentious issue.
