Women's Volleyball Team forfeit match against San Jose State in October 2024
- A women's volleyball team from the University of Nevada, Reno decided to forfeit an upcoming match against San Jose State University due to the presence of a male-born player competing as female.
- This decision follows similar actions by four other teams who have also refused to compete against this player.
- The team's decision reflects their concerns over safety and fairness in women's sports, emphasizing the need for protective measures in athletic competition.
In October 2024, the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) women's volleyball team made a significant decision to forfeit their scheduled match against San Jose State University (SJSU). This decision stems from the inclusion of Brayden Fleming, a male-born player who identifies as female, on the SJSU roster. The UNR team has expressed a strong collective stance on the issue, stating their demands for safety and fairness in athletics. They are united with other teams that also chose to forfeit rather than compete against Fleming, building a noticeable movement against mixed-gender competition in women's sports. The university’s administration, however, maintained that the match would proceed as planned regardless of the team's decision, emphasizing that players would not face discipline for choosing not to participate. Despite this official stance, the players voiced their concerns about the integrity of women's sports, highlighting the challenges they believe their team is facing in this evolving landscape. Important figures, including Nevada's governor and political candidates, have weighed in on this contentious issue. The public discourse has highlighted the balancing act between inclusivity and maintaining fairness in competitive sports, exacerbating tensions around gender identity and athletics. As the conversation continues, the implications of the UNR team's decision point to a broader conversation about the policies governing collegiate athletics. The outcome of these discussions may influence future regulations around gender participation in sports at multiple levels.