Women’s sports are for women only! Do you agree?
 
It came to my attention last month that the University of New Mexico (UNM) women’s volleyball team is scheduled to play San Jose State University (SJSU) on October 17 and November 2, 2024. As you may be aware, a male-born player, Blaire Fleming, has been competing on SJSU’s women’s volleyball team.
 
The University of New Mexico 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 match play 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 UNM to do the same!
 
On October 3, I and one of our Young Women for America University of New Mexico alumni wrote to four high-ranking administrative staff members at UNM, including President Garnett Stokes and David Williams, Interim Vice President and Director of Athletics, to express our 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 UNM to join other schools in opting out of matches against SJSU.
 
Since then, I have received one response, and it was from the Executive Assistant to the President on the president’s behalf: “Email received. Thank you.” As of Tuesday, they are still planning to play SJSU.
 
Pray: Please pray for wisdom and courage for UNM’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 to UNM’s President and Interim Vice President/Director of Athletics.
Garnett Stokes, President: presidentstokes@unm.edu
David Williams, Interim Vice President and Director of Athletics: davidwilliams@unm.edu
 
In His service,
 
Nickie McCarty
State Director