San Jose State University welcomed the latest influx of volleyball players entering the transfer zone after a season full of controversy involving the player. a trans actor in the group.
The university issued a statement to Fox News Digital in which it expressed “respect” for the latest a wave of players who chose to pass. “Student-athletes have the ability to make decisions about their college athletic careers, and we have the utmost respect for that,” the statement read.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports that seven of the team's players have entered the transfer window.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS ON FOXNEWS.COM
In an article detailing the San Jose State University Spartans transgender athlete scandal, the New York Times referred to the team's biological athletes as “non-transgender women”. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The seven players being transferred will leave the club after a season that included eight games won, constant police protection, a national inspection and internal turmoil between players and coaches. One player even accepted threats of physical harm in the middle of an argument.
Head coach Todd Kress even talked about how the 2024 season was one of the “toughest” of his life after the team's loss in the conference finals to Colorado State, in a statement released to Fox News Digital.
“This has been one of the most difficult times I've ever been through, and I know the same is true for many of our players and staff who have supported us throughout. The safety and comfort of my players in the midst of outdoor noise has always been my top priority,” said Kress.
Transgender player Blaire Fleming is ineligible after finishing the team's fourth season in 2024. The team's season ended in the Mountain West Conference playoffs after advancing to the title game. due to a loss to Boise State in the playoffs. . Boise State previously lost two regular-season games to San Jose State amid controversy involving Fleming, who accounted for three of its seven conference victories by forfeit this year.
A loss to Colorado State in the final meeting ended the season and prevented the Conference from entering the NCAA tournament. The loss effectively ended Fleming's collegiate career.
In September, co-captain Brooke Slusser filed a lawsuit against the NCAA alleging that the program denied information about Fleming's birth gender to her and other players on the team. Slusser says he was made to share the changing and sleeping quarters with Fleming without knowing that Fleming was a natural male.
Slusser, along with several other Mountain West players, filed a separate lawsuit against the conference with San Jose State in November over Fleming's presence. That trial included testimony from former San Jose State volleyball players Alyssa Sugai and Elle Patterson, who allege they were awarded scholarships on Fleming's behalf.
The lawsuit also alleges that San Jose State players talked about Fleming's alleged plan to hit Slusser in the face with a volleyball during a game against Colorado State on Oct. 3. Slusser was not hit in the face in that game, and an investigation by the Mountain West concluded without finding sufficient evidence of the plot.
Assistant coach Melissa Batie-Smoose was suspended by the program in early November after she filed a Title IX complaint against the university for favoring Fleming over other players, particularly Slusser. Batie-Smoose's complaints also included allegations of Fleming's plot to have Slusser's face cut off.
Slusser first he told Fox News Digital that the dismissal of Batie-Smoose affected the morale of the team.
After we found out that he had been released, a lot of the band was broken and devastated, and even one of my teammates was saying, 'I don't feel safe anymore. ,' because there is no one. now we feel like we can go talk to them about our concerns or our feelings and we can speak freely in front of them,” Slusser said.
Slusser also said he and other players lost confidence in the coaches, including head coach Kress.
“You can't really express yourself without trying to hide it or act like it's okay. When you were with Melissa, you could express yourself and she would comfort you and to validate your opinion and at least feel reasonable compared to other coaches,” said Slusser.
Kress also blamed the losing team for fueling anti-team sentiment, as each loss brought controversy and media attention.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
San Jose State Spartans players look on before a game against the Air Force Falcons on Falcon Court in the East Gym on Oct. 19, 2024, Colorado Springs, Colorado. (Andrew Wevers/Getty Images)
“Unfortunately, some who have been playing for this team for years without incident have chosen not to play with us this season. It is clear that we did not celebrate one win by winning. “However, we prepared ourselves for the hateful messages that people chose to send directly to our student-athletes, our coaching staff and many associated with our program.”
However, this news did not stop the players from at least enjoying their last trip as San Jose State Spartans for the most part.
Slusser first he told Fox News Digital that the team went out to a magic show when they traveled to Las Vegas for the Mountain West tournament, and even had a team Thanksgiving meal together at the team hotel by taking local food with many of their families.
However, that wasn't enough to keep the seven players who entered the transfer portal tied to the program, as the club will be facing a major roster shake-up as they look to return on the court and on its reputation in 2025.
Follow Fox News Digital's sports news on X, and subscribe to Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.