Women’s sports are for women only! Do you agree?
Colorado State University (CSU) women’s volleyball team played San Jose State University (SJSU) on October 3, 2024, fully aware that a male-born player, Blaire Fleming, is competing on SJSU’s women’s volleyball team. CSU is scheduled to play SJSU again on November 16.
CSU must uphold the rights of female athletes to sex-separated participation in women’s sports and fair and safe athletic competition. It is not reasonable for a female to compete against a male with superior vertical jump and power capacity on a net that is 7 inches lower than the men’s volleyball net. Fleming’s physical advantage and risk to other players has already been seen in matches this season.
Several teams scheduled to play SJSU, including the University of Southern Utah, Boise State University, the University of Wyoming, and Utah State University, have made the right decision to forgo or forfeit their matches against SJSU. In doing so, these universities courageously uphold the dignity and safety of their female athletes and their obligations under Title IX. It is time for us to urge CSU to do the same!
On September 25, I wrote to 10 high-ranking administrative officials at CSU, including Chancellor Tony Frank, President Amy Parsons, and Athletic Director John Weber, to express my concerns and questions: “What is the policy of the university concerning sex-based participation in women’s sports? Has the NCAA notified your university that a trans-identifying male player is competing in Division I women’s volleyball? How do you prepare your female athletes to compete against a male player on an opposing team and the heightened risk for injury? Have you considered opting out of such matches? If not, why not?” I concluded by urging CSU to opt out of matches against SJSU.
Since then, I have received two responses. The first was from Athletic Director John Weber: “Thank you for your note. In accordance with NCAA and Mountain West guidelines, we are hosting the match as regularly scheduled on October 3.” The second was from the Assistant to the Board, indicating that my concerns would be shared with the Board.
Pray: Please pray for wisdom and courage for CSU’s women’s volleyball team and for school administrators to uphold their responsibility for the safety and integrity of competition for their female athletes.
Act: Please express your concerns directly to CSU’s Chancellor, President, and Athletic Director. Respectfully urge them to take their obligations to their female athletes under Title IX and the integrity of women’s sports seriously and opt out of the November 16 match against SJSU.
Tony Frank, Chancellor: melanie.geary@colostate.edu (assistant)
Amy Parsons, President: presofc@colostate.edu
John Weber, Athletic Director: john.weber@colostate.edu
Thank you in advance for your attention to this crucial issue.
In His service,
Karen Pennington
State Director