Boise State women’s volleyball forfeited their Mountain West Conference tournament match against San Jose State.
They’re standing firm on their decision not to compete against SJSU.
Why?
They’ve got a biological male player, Blaire Fleming.
After beating Utah State, Boise State faced the choice: play for the championship or uphold their principles.
They’ve already forfeited twice during the regular season for the same reason.
In a statement, Boise State Athletics acknowledged their commitment to their values, despite the championship stakes.
This is the way!
BREAKING: Boise State Broncos Women’s volleyball team chose to forfeit their match against San Jose State to protest a biological male on the team. pic.twitter.com/yULBO5Z0Rg
— TaraBull (@TaraBull808) November 28, 2024
This is HUGE!
Boise State volleyball has elected to forfeit its match against San Jose State and end its season. pic.twitter.com/dNnBGzXe7o
— B.J. Rains (@BJRains) November 28, 2024
Breitbart reports:
The Boise State women’s volleyball team elected to do in the Mountain West Conference tournament what they had done twice during the regular season: forfeit a game against a trans player.
After defeating Utah State on Wednesday, Boise State faced the impossible choice of forfeiting a match against San Jose State (SJSU) and their trans player Blaire Fleming, therefore losing any chance of a conference championship. Or, compromise the principles that compelled them to forfeit two games against SJSU in the regular season and play the game.
In the end, Boise State chose to stand on principle.
“The decision to not continue to play in the 2024 Mountain West Volleyball Championship tournament was not an easy one,” Boise State Athletics wrote in a statement via OutKick. “Our team overcame forfeitures to earn a spot in the tournament field and fought for the win over Utah State in the first round on Wednesday.
“They should not have to forgo this opportunity while waiting for a more thoughtful and better system that serves all athletes.”
Controversy would have arisen no matter who won Wednesday’s game; Boise State and Utah State forfeited matches against SJSU this year. Now, SJSU will await the winner of Colorado State and San Diego State, two schools that did not forfeit their games against the Spartans this year.
ADVERTISEMENTSJSU, the #2 seed in the conference tournament, reached that lofty position primarily on the strength of six forfeited matches, which gave them easy wins and a chance to rest their players.
Here’s a post of the team forfeiting a game earlier this month.
I like how they emphasized BOY in BOYcott.
This week, Boise State University announced they will forfeit a second match against SJSU.
Last night, they played University of Nevada who also forfeited a match against SJSU. The stadium was filled with BOYcott shirts.
This is the way. Enough is enough! #BOYcott pic.twitter.com/gXCLCR3n35
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) November 3, 2024
Join the conversation!
Please share your thoughts about this article below. We value your opinions, and would love to see you add to the discussion!