Republican leaders from Congress have expressed their “serious concern” to the Mountain West Conference regarding the participation of transgender women in women’s sports.
Thirteen officials have signed a letter addressed to Mountain West Commissioner Gloria Nevarez, urging the conference to implement a policy that would prevent transgender athletes from competing against biological women.
A group of members from the U.S. House and U.S. Senate have expressed their serious concerns regarding the safety and fair competition standards for female athletes participating in the Mountain West Conference. In a letter signed by these representatives, they highlight the need for addressing these issues.
Amid controversy at San Jose State University, Blaire Fleming, a transgender woman, is currently a player on the women’s volleyball team. The letter was sent in light of this situation.
The Mountain West logo was proudly showcased at War Memorial Stadium in Laramie, Wyo., during a thrilling college football game between the Idaho Vandals and the University of Wyoming Cowboys on September 7, 2024.
It was a moment that captured the essence of competitive spirit and team pride. The logo stood as a symbol of the conference’s commitment to excellence and its dedication to providing memorable sporting experiences for fans and athletes alike.
The Spartans have had several teams forfeit games against them this season.
“Title IX was introduced more than 50 years ago with the aim of creating equal opportunities for women in sports. It has been instrumental in ensuring that women can participate in sports in a safe and fair environment. However, recent events have raised concerns about the future of this important legislation,” the letter emphasizes.
In recent times, teams within your conference have willingly given up their games, putting their competitive positions at risk, all in the name of prioritizing the safety of their female athletes.
It is disheartening to see that the Mountain West Conference has not taken a definitive stance against allowing biological males to participate in women’s sports, which ultimately creates an unfair environment for the women and girls who have dedicated themselves to competing at the collegiate level.
We wholeheartedly commend the courage of these female athletes and the universities within our own states for standing up to protect Title IX, even when the Mountain West Conference failed to do so.
Allowing biological men to participate in women’s sports is not fair; it is an unfair practice. According to these guidelines, it is only just that biological males compete in men’s sports and biological females compete in women’s sports. It is evident that the Mountain West Conference has failed in upholding this principle.
Blaire Fleming, a player from the San Jose State Spartans, showed her reaction during the second set against the Air Force Falcons at Falcon Court at East Gym in Colorado Springs, Colo on October 19, 2024. The intense emotions of the game were captured as Andrew Wevers/Getty Images documented the moment.
“We believe in fairness, especially when it comes to sports. It is disheartening to witness the inequalities that persist in women’s sports within the Mountain West Conference. We urge you to take immediate action in rectifying these disparities and we are eager to collaborate with you in championing women’s participation in collegiate sports.”
Fleming has emerged as a standout player in the conference and has been a key offensive force for San Jose State throughout the season, despite the controversy surrounding the team.
With an impressive average of 3.86 kills per serve, Fleming currently ranks third in the conference. Despite missing out on seven games due to forfeits, Fleming has managed to accumulate a total of 297 kills this year.
This outstanding performance has contributed to San Jose State’s impressive hitting percentage, which ranks third in the Mountain West conference.
Brooke Slusser, a teammate of Fleming, is involved in the legal action against the NCAA. In addition, she, along with other players from the Mountain West, filed a separate lawsuit against the conference.
The lawsuit claims that Slusser’s transgender teammate was allegedly concealed by the school, causing Slusser and other players to be unaware of Fleming’s natural birth sex. This alleged concealment affected not only their team but also other teams within the conference.
San Jose State has consistently stood by their decision to keep Fleming on the team. Blaire Fleming, a redshirt senior at San Jose State University, is a valuable player for the women’s volleyball team, where she excels as an outside and right-side hitter. (San Jose State University)
“Our athletes adhere to the policies of the NCAA and Mountain West Conference, making them eligible to participate within the regulations set by these organizations. It is disheartening for both our volleyball team members and ourselves that they are being deprived of the chance to compete due to cancellations and forfeits.
However, we take pride in their resilience and determination in overcoming these obstacles on the court,” stated a university representative when contacted by Fox News Digital.