Macey Boggs, a former University of Wyoming women's volleyball player, described deep divisions within her team over the decision to forfeit two matches against San Jose State University in 2024, amid controversy over transgender athlete Blaire Fleming on the Spartans' roster.[1][2]
The matches were scheduled for October 5, 2024, in San Jose, California, and November 2, 2024, in Laramie, Wyoming. Wyoming became the second Mountain West Conference team to forfeit, following Utah State on October 4, 2024. Five conference opponents ultimately forfeited to San Jose State that season.[3][4]
Boggs said players held an anonymous vote favoring playing the matches, but she and others refused to participate. Wyoming Athletic Director Tom Burman ultimately decided to forfeit, a move confirmed by university officials as taken out of the players' hands.[1][5]
A Wyoming Athletics statement noted the decision was made by the athletic director and university president amid pressure from both sides and team divisions. Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon issued a statement on October 5, 2024, supporting the forfeits to uphold fairness in women's athletics.[1][6][7]
Wyoming finished the 2024 season 11-19 overall and 4-10 in conference play, missing the Mountain West tournament.[3][8] Boggs, a senior, said the dispute led to lasting rifts among teammates.
In November 2024, Boggs and teammates Sierra Grizzle and Jordan Sandy joined a lawsuit filed by former San Jose State player Brooke Slusser against the Mountain West Conference, San Jose State, and the California State University system, alleging Title IX violations.[1][2]
U.S. District Judge Kato J. Crews partially dismissed the case in March 2025, dropping claims against the conference but allowing Title IX claims against San Jose State and CSU to proceed pending related rulings.[1]
Separately, San Jose State and CSU are challenging a U.S. Department of Education finding of Title IX violations related to Fleming. Education Secretary Linda McMahon set a March 21, 2025, deadline for compliance or face funding risks.[1]
Sources
- Fox News Digital
Former Wyoming volleyball star says team was 'torn apart' over SJSU transgender scandal
March 18, 2025
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/former-wyoming-volleyball-star-macey-boggs-team-torn-apart-sjsu-forfeit-transgender-scandal - AP News
San Jose State volleyball opponents keep forfeiting over transgender athlete
October 11, 2024
https://apnews.com/article/san-jose-state-volleyball-transgender-forfeit-wyoming-0b8f4d5c7e2a1f9b3e4d - Mountain West Conference
2024 Women's Volleyball Schedule & Results
Accessed April 2025
https://mountainwest.com/sports/womens-volleyball/schedule/2024 - Wyoming Athletics
2024 Volleyball Schedule
Accessed April 2025
https://gowyo.com/sports/womens-volleyball/schedule/2024 - ESPN
Wyoming forfeits matches vs. San Jose St. over transgender player
October 5, 2024
https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/41742456/wyoming-forfeits-volleyball-matches-san-jose-state-transgender-athlete - Office of the Governor, State of Wyoming
Governor Mark Gordon Statement on Wyoming Volleyball Match
October 5, 2024
https://governor.wyo.gov/press-releases/2024/october-2024/governor-mark-gordon-statement-on-wyoming-volleyball-match - U.S. Department of Education
Statement on San Jose State University Title IX Investigation
March 11, 2025
https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/department-education-issues-compliance-demand-san-jose-state-university-title-ix
