USU joins the list of losers to partner with a transgender athlete, gaining support from Gov. Cox

The Utah State University women's volleyball team joins a growing list of schools, including Southern Utah University, that are dropping games to a San Jose State University team that includes a transgender player.

USU briefly issued a statement about the cancellation, then retracted it and has not yet said why it is forgoing the game against SJSU.

According to KRON4 Television in San Francisco, Blaire Fleming, a transgender woman, is on the SJSU team.

SUU was the first school to cancel its game against SJSU scheduled for Sept. 14. The Boise State and University of Wyoming women's volleyball teams followed suit. Statements from Boise State and Wyoming did not provide reasons for why they canceled the games.

Boise State's statement said: “Boise State volleyball will not play its scheduled game at San Jose State on Saturday, September 28th. Per Mountain West Conference policy, the conference will record the game as a forfeit and a loss for Boise State. The Broncos will next face Air Force on October 3.”

A statement from Wyoming said: “After a lengthy discussion, the University of Wyoming will not play its scheduled conference game against San Jose State University on Saturday, October 5 at the UniWyo Sports Complex. Per Mountain West Conference policy, the conference will record the game as a loss and a loss for Wyoming.

Governor Cox expresses his support for USU women's volleyball

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz said they support USU and SUU's withdrawal decisions. Both also called on the NCAA to address the issue.

“I stand by the students, coaches and managers @SUUtbirds And @USUAggies in their decision to forego their women's volleyball games against San Jose State,” Cox said in a post on X. “It is important that we create a space where women can compete fairly and safely. Our female athletes must confront this difficult issue because the NCAA has failed in its responsibility to protect female athletes and women's sports. It’s time for the NCAA to take this seriously and protect our student-athletes.”

Schultz applauded the decision, saying, “Thank you for standing up not only for yourself, but for women across the country – current and future generations!” It's time for the NCAA to take action to protect our female athletes to protect and preserve women’s sports.”

The NCAA is facing a lawsuit over transgender athletes

According to the Free Press, a dozen female athletes sued the NCAA earlier this year over its policies allowing transgender athletes to compete in women's sports. One of the plaintiffs in the case, former college swimmer Riley Gaines, has traveled around the country speaking about the issue of transgender athletes playing on women's sports teams.

Gaines also posted social media on USU's decision: “Utah State University becomes the fourth school to forfeit its game against SJSU because of a man playing on the women's volleyball team. Big compliments to @USUAthletics.” And a separate post said: “This kind of unity is what I (and many others who have worked much longer than me) have been pushing for over the last two years.” The house of cards of gender ideology is collapsing , and it is a wonderful sight.”