The University of Nevada has issued a statement rebuking its women’s volleyball team for forfeiting a match against a team that includes a transgender player.
In recent weeks, several schools have canceled matches against San Jose State, whose roster includes transgender redshirt senior Blaire Fleming.
Monday, players on Nevada’s women’s volleyball team issued a statement to OutKick announcing their decision to forfeit their Oct. 26 match, overriding a previous decision from their university.
“We, the University of Nevada Reno women’s volleyball team, forfeit against San Jose State University and stand united in solidarity with the volleyball teams of Southern Utah University, Boise State University, the University of Wyoming, and Utah State University,” the statement said, referring to the other teams who have forfeited their matches.
“We demand that our right to safety and fair competition on the court be upheld. We refuse to participate in any match that advances injustice against female athletes.”
In a lengthy statement in response, the University of Nevada told the outlet that the players’ decision “does not represent” the stance of the school and that it “intends” to proceed with the match.
“The players’ decision and statement were made independently, and without consultation with the University or the athletic department. The players’ decision also does not represent the position of the University,” the school’s statement said.
“The University and its athletic programs are governed by the Nevada Constitution and Nevada law, which strictly protect equality of rights under the law, and that equality of rights shall not be denied or abridged by this state or any of its subdivisions on account of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, ancestry or national origin.
“The University is also governed by federal law as well as the rules and regulations of the NCAA and the Mountain West Conference, which include providing competition in an inclusive and supportive environment. The University intends to move forward with the match as scheduled, and the players may choose not to participate in the match on the day of the contest. No players will be subject to any team disciplinary action for their decision not to participate in the match.”
The issue of transgender women in collegiate athletics has been raring for several years, since swimmer Lia Thomas set records at the University of Pennsylvania following three years of having previously competed on the men’s team.
