SJSU volleyball players fleeing program after season filled with trans athlete drama
San Jose State University has acknowledged a recent mass exodus of volleyball players who entered the transfer portal after a controversy-riddled season involving a trans athlete on the team. The university provided a statement to Fox News Digital in which it expressed “respect” for the recent wave of players who have opted to transfer.“Student athletes have the ability to make decisions about their college athletic careers, and we have the utmost respect for that,” the statement read.The San Francisco Chronicle reported that seven of the team’s players have entered the transfer portal. The seven players who are transferring will be leaving the team after a season that included eight forfeited matches, regular police protection, national scrutiny and internal turmoil between players and coaches.
One player even received threats of physical harm amid the controversy.Head coach Todd Kress even spoke about how the 2024 season was one of the “most difficult” of his life after the team’s loss in the conference final to Colorado State, in a statement provided to Fox News Digital. “This has been one of the most difficult seasons I’ve ever experienced, and I know this is true as well for many of our players and the staff who have been supporting us all along.Maintaining our focus on the court and ensuring the overall safety and well-being of my players amid the external noise have been my priorities,” Kress said. The transgender player, Blaire Fleming, is out of eligibility after completing a fourth collegiate season in 2024.
The team’s season ended in the Mountain West Conference championship game after it advanced to the title game by virtue of a forfeit from Boise State in the semifinal round.Boise State previously forfeited two regular season games to San Jose State amid the controversy involving Fleming, accounting for three of its seven conference wins via forfeit this year. A loss to Colorado State in the conference final ended t...