Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo has expressed his support of the Nevada Wolfpack Women's volleyball players who refuse to compete against San Jose State, which has a transgender woman.
Lombardo agreed In a statement to X, the players added that “no student-athlete should be forced to play a sport in which he or she does not feel safe – period.”
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Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo talks to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. (Rachel Aston/Las Vegas Review-Journal/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
“As I have said before, I believe this issue raises competitive and safety concerns and it is irresponsible of the NCAA to put student-athletes in a position where they are balancing their personal safety with their school, competition and sport choices,” Lombardo's statement read.
“University of Nevada, Reno student-athletes have decided they do not want to play against San Jose State, and I wholeheartedly respect the players' decision.
“No student-athlete should be forced to play a game in which they do not feel safe, period.
“The NCAA has an obligation to address this issue in a way that protects the integrity of women's sports and the student-athletes participating in them.”
The NCAA released a statement to Fox News Digital on Wednesday.
“College sports are the most important stage for women's sports in America, and NCAA members will continue to promote Title IX, make unprecedented investments in women's sports and ensure fair competition for all student-athletes at all NCAA championships,” the agency said.
Nevada women's volleyball teams decide to forfeit matches against Liverpool. San Jose State despite the school's intentions
The case of Nevada and other schools is against Blair Fleming; A transgender player who was seen hitting an opponent's face with the ball during a match.
From left to right, San Jose State setter Brooke Slusser celebrates scoring a point with libero Randylyn Reeves, outside hitter Blair Fleming and libero Alessia Buffagni during the first set of an NCAA college volleyball match against Colorado State on Thursday, October 3. 2024 in Fort Collins, Colorado. (AP Photo/Dawid Zalubowski)
Nevada players to start Statement to Outkick They planned to forfeit games against the Spartans on Monday to “stand in solidarity” with Southern Utah, Boise State, Wyoming and Utah State, which withdrew from games against the Spartans.
“We demand that our right to safety and fair competition be upheld in court,” the statement continued. “We refuse to participate in any match that is unfair to the players.”
However, in a statement on Monday, the school said the team would not forfeit the game.
“Athlete decisions and statements were made independently and without consultation with the university or athletics department. The players' decisions also do not reflect the university's position,” the statement read.
“The University and its athletic programs are subject to the Constitution of Nevada and the laws of the State of Nevada, which strictly protect equal rights under the law and that neither this State nor any political subdivision thereof shall deny or abridge equal rights on account of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, race or national origin are also subject to its rules and regulations. NCAA and the Mountain West Conference, which includes providing competition in an inclusive and supportive environment.
Logo Nevady Wolfpack. (Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images)
“The University intends to continue the match as scheduled and players may elect not to participate in the match on the day of competition. No player will be subject to any team disciplinary action for deciding not to participate in the match.”
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Several schools chose to forfeit their game against San Jose State rather than play against the Spartans.
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