• Loading stock data...
Monday, October 20, 2025

Federal Judge Denies Motion to Ban San José State Volleyball Player From Mountain West Tournament

Players and coaches filed a lawsuit against the conference over the participation of the player, who they say is transgender.

USA TODAY

A federal judge has denied a motion to ban a player on the San José State women’s volleyball team from playing in the Mountain West conference tournament beginning Nov 27. The judge has also ruled the Mountain West will not be enjoined from using its current standings—which include forfeits from teams who refused to play the Spartans—to determine which six teams qualify for the tournament.

The lawsuit claimed it was both unfair and physically unsafe for the athletes to have to play on the same team as, or play against, a purportedly transgender athlete.

Counsel for the plaintiffs immediately filed a notice of appeal, despite the conference tournament being just two days away.

The request for a preliminary injunction was filed as part of a lawsuit by a dozen Mountain West women’s volleyball players and coaches, led by SJSU volleyball player Brooke Slusser, against the Mountain West and its commissioner, Gloria Nevarez, last week. The Cal State Board of Trustees, San José State administrators, and SJSU volleyball coach Todd Kress are named as defendants.

In addition to asking for the athlete to be banned from competition, the lawsuit says the Mountain West shouldn’t be allowed to use its current standings, which include losses incurred by four teams who refused to play the Spartans: Boise State, Wyoming, the University of Nevada-Reno, and Utah State. It also argues that the conference infringed upon athletes’ rights to free speech for publicly protesting the player’s participation. Utah State joined the lawsuit as a plaintiff against the Mountain West.

The lawsuit names the player, who has not publicly said she is transgender. The school and conference have not commented on her gender, though the judge’s written explanation of the ruling notes that no one has denied her identity, either.

The player has been a member of San José State’s team since 2022, but her teammates and opponents were allegedly unaware of her gender identity until a news article came out in the spring on the matter, court documents said. Slusser then publicized the news in September in a legal filing, when she joined a lawsuit against the NCAA over its trangender athlete participation policy that allowed former University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas to compete in the 2022 NCAA championships. (That lawsuit is being led by former Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines. An organization called the Independent Council on Women’s Sports is funding both the lawsuits against the Mountain West and the NCAA.)

Since September, Southern Utah, as well as four Mountain West programs—Boise State, Utah State, the University of Nevada-Reno, and Wyoming—have forfeited matches against the Spartans. The Mountain West teams have all taken losses as a result of the conference transgender participation policy, which states teams incur a loss if they refuse to play an opponent because of the transgender athlete who is abiding by the NCAA’s transgender eligibility policy requirements. The lawsuit claimed the Mountain West implemented that policy “under-the-radar” in September, but the conference said in court documents that schools agreed to the policy back in 2022. 

Judge Kato Crews delivered a sweeping 28-page explanation of why he denied these requests Monday. The Mountain West had implemented the transgender participation policy two years ago, and that the transgender player was on the Spartans team since 2022. “There is no evidence to suggest they were precluded from seeking emergency relief earlier, and the rush to litigate these complex issues now over a mandatory injunction places a heavy lift on the MWC at the eleventh hour,” he wrote. Crews also wrote that Title IX, which prohibits discrimination in education settings on the basis of sex, also prohibits discrimination against transgender people. 

Slusser was the purported transgender player’s roommate on multiple occasions, according to court documents. SJSU assistant coach Melissa Batie-Smoose filed a Title IX complaint alleging the athlete conspired with a Colorado State player to harm Slusser, though the Mountain West found the complaint had no merit, according to an ESPN report. Batie-Smoose is currently suspended from the team, per court documents.

Players, coaches, and administrators on multiple teams were pressured by lawmakers, lobbying groups, and former players on their decisions for whether to forfeit, internal documents reported by The Washington Post show.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Oct 19, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) hands off the ball in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.

Mac Jones, Daniel Jones Cash In on Big Incentive Money

Both quarterbacks have hit big contract incentives just halfway through the season.

Florida, Colorado State Firings Push CFB Buyouts Past $100M

Nine FBS head coaches have been fired since the season started.
@chef__tezz/Instagram

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.

How Vanderbilt Went From SEC Doormat to Dark Horse CFP Candidate

After beating LSU, Clark Lea said: “Internally, we expect to win.”

Featured Today

May 27, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) shoots a three point basket over New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the third quarter of game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

NBA Stars Swap Wine With League Friends and Foes

A wine-exchange tradition emerged from the bubble season’s close quarters.
May 25, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Derek Jeter walks the red carpet on Sunday, May 25, 2025, ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
October 16, 2025

The Players’ Tribune Is Still Kicking 11 Years Later

Founder Derek Jeter is still closely involved in the publication.
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with her teammates after her last second shot to take the lead 90-88 against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2025.
exclusive
October 10, 2025

Standoff Over WNBA’s Future Has Dominated Finals

CBA negotiations have stolen the spotlight from the Aces’ dominant performance.
Paul Cartier
October 5, 2025

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”

Beyond Ohio State, It’s Another Massive Shake-Up in the CFB Top 25

Nine of the top 10 teams changed positions in Week 9.
Cignetti
October 17, 2025

Curt Cignetti Lands Third Contract in Just 19 Games With Indiana

Cignetti signed a new contract five days after Indiana upset Oregon.
Sep 20, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick walks the sideline during the first quarter against the UCF Knights at the Bounce House Stadium.
October 17, 2025

Belichick’s UNC Saga Now Includes GM Trip to Saudi Arabia

UNC GM Michael Lombardi traveled to Saudi Arabia earlier this year.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Semaj Morgan (0) makes a catch for a first down in the first half against the USC Trojans at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
October 16, 2025

Michigan Board Publicly Opposes Big Ten Investment Proposal

“The Big Ten does not need to be sold to save college sports.”
Tortillas
October 16, 2025

Texas Tech-Kansas Tortilla-Knife Mess Ends With $50K in Fines

Texas Tech’s tortilla tradition got both teams in trouble.
Oct 14, 2025; Birmingham, AL, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach John Calipari talks with the media during SEC Media Days at Grand Bohemian Hotel.
October 15, 2025

SEC Coaches Sound Off on NIL, Revenue-Sharing: ‘Upside Down’

John Calipari doesn’t want to become “transactional.”
Cody Campbell
October 15, 2025

Texas Tech Booster Cody Campbell Slams Conference PE Deals

Campbell said the concept goes against “all the laws of finance.”