The Colorado State Rams women's volleyball team is set to compete against San Jose State University in the Mountain West conference championship on Saturday, amidst ongoing national debate surrounding a transgender athlete on the Spartans' roster. Rams head coach Emily Kohan confirmed the team's participation in the final, scheduled for 5 p.m. ET, following their victory over San Diego State in four sets on Friday.
Kohan acknowledged the sensitive nature of the situation, describing it as "complex and emotional." She emphasized the difficulty of understanding the experience without being directly involved in the discussions and decisions. Kohan also highlighted the courage displayed by young athletes throughout the season, navigating this challenging landscape.
The controversy stems from the inclusion of transgender athlete Blaire Fleming on the SJSU team. Several teams have opted to forfeit matches against SJSU, and legal action involving Fleming and members of the Spartans team and staff has been initiated. SJSU secured their place in the final after Boise State forfeited their semifinal match, citing concerns about a system that adequately addresses the needs of all athletes.
Several Mountain West teams, including Boise State, Wyoming, Utah State, Nevada, and Southern Utah, have canceled matches against the Spartans this season. Nevada players expressed their unwillingness to participate in matches that they perceived as promoting unfairness towards female athletes.
Kohan affirmed Colorado State's decision to play in the championship, emphasizing their commitment to addressing the issue head-on. She stated their intention to demonstrate courage through their participation and to prevent the need for further difficult conversations and decisions by other teams or governing bodies.
The championship match is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET.
