The drama surrounding the SJSU transgender volleyball player, Blaire Fleming, didn't just happen overnight. It was more like a slow-burn fuse that finally hit the powder keg in late 2024. Honestly, if you’ve been following the headlines, you’ve probably seen a lot of shouting. People are angry. Others are defensive. But the actual story—the one involving locker room conversations, 80 mph spikes, and a sudden wave of forfeits—is way more layered than a simple soundbite.
It’s about a team that went from being a conference powerhouse to a political lightning rod in the span of a few weeks.
The Outing and the Aftermath
Blaire Fleming had been playing for San Jose State University (SJSU) since 2022. For two seasons, things were mostly quiet. She was a redshirt senior, an outside hitter with a vertical that could make your head spin. But then, in April 2024, an online report "outed" her. That’s when the "elephant in the room" (as some teammates called it) became the only thing anyone wanted to talk about.
Suddenly, the Mountain West Conference was in chaos.
You’ve got teams like Boise State, Wyoming, and Utah State choosing to take a loss rather than step onto the court against the Spartans. They cited safety. They cited fairness. By the end of the 2024 season, SJSU had racked up several wins just because the other bus never showed up. It’s a bizarre way to run a sports program, and it left the athletes in the middle of a culture war they didn't ask for.
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Why the SJSU Transgender Volleyball Player Controversy Still Matters
The legal battle is where things get really messy. In September 2024, Fleming’s own teammate and co-captain, Brooke Slusser, joined a massive class-action lawsuit against the NCAA. She didn't hold back. Slusser alleged that the university never told her Fleming was transgender, even though they were roomed together on road trips.
Think about that for a second.
You’re living out of a suitcase with a teammate for two years, sharing a small hotel room, and then you find out through a news article that they were born male. Slusser claimed she felt "betrayed." She even mentioned in court filings that Fleming’s spikes were "scary" and hit with a force she’d never seen from a female player. We’re talking about recorded speeds that supposedly put teammates at risk of concussions during practice.
The 2025-2026 Legal Landscape
As of January 2026, this isn't just a "college sports" story anymore. It has reached the highest levels of the U.S. government.
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- Supreme Court Involvement: This week, the Supreme Court began hearing arguments regarding state laws that bar transgender athletes from female teams. While the SJSU case specifically focused on the Mountain West, the outcome of these federal hearings will likely dictate whether Fleming—or anyone in her position—can ever suit up for a women's D1 team again.
- Executive Orders: On his first day back in office in early 2025, President Trump signed the "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports" executive order. This triggered a federal investigation by the U.S. Department of Education into SJSU’s handling of the situation.
- The "Plot" Allegations: This is the part that sounds like a movie script. Slusser filed a new complaint alleging that Fleming actually conspired with an opponent from Colorado State to "throw" a match and intentionally target Slusser with a spike to the face. The Mountain West investigated and said there wasn't enough evidence to prove it, but the bad blood is basically permanent at this point.
A Program in Shambles?
The 2024 season ended with a loss in the conference championship, but the real damage was to the roster. Seven players—nearly half the team—hit the transfer portal as soon as the season ended. They fled. Some cited the "toxic environment," others the constant police protection required just to play a home game.
Fleming herself eventually broke her silence in early 2025. She told the New York Times that the season was the "darkest time" of her life and that she’d felt suicidal after being outed. She moved back to Virginia to finish her degree online. It’s a grim ending for everyone involved, regardless of which side of the net you’re on.
The Real Impact on Title IX
The core of the argument isn't just about feelings; it's about Title IX.
Lawyers for the athletes argue that Title IX was designed to protect biological women. Lawyers for the schools and the NCAA argue that Title IX prohibits discrimination based on gender identity. You’ve got two groups using the exact same law to demand opposite outcomes.
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- Safety: The physical advantage of a male-born athlete in a high-impact sport like volleyball is the primary concern for plaintiffs.
- Inclusion: Advocates argue that hormone therapy (which Fleming reportedly underwent starting at age 14) mitigates those advantages.
- Privacy: Locker room and overnight travel arrangements remain the most "human" part of the friction.
What Happens Next
If you’re an athlete, a parent, or just a sports fan, the "wait and see" approach is over. The legal precedents being set right now in early 2026 will change the face of the NCAA.
Actionable Insights for Navigating This Topic:
- Track the SCOTUS Rulings: Watch for the decision on Hecox v. Little or similar cases this summer; that is the "final word" on how Title IX applies to transgender athletes.
- Monitor Conference Policies: The Mountain West has already faced massive internal pressure to change their "forfeit" rule. Look for other mid-major conferences to update their handbooks to avoid the SJSU "ghost game" scenario.
- Support Player Wellness: Both Slusser and Fleming reported severe mental health struggles, including eating disorders and suicidal ideation. This highlights a desperate need for better support systems when schools find themselves in the middle of national controversies.
The story of the SJSU transgender volleyball player is a case study in what happens when policy can't keep up with social change. It's no longer just about a game; it's about the future of how we define "fair" in the arena.