BOISE, Idaho — This story originally appeared in the Idaho Press.
The Boise State volleyball teams’ season has come to an end after the Broncos elected to forfeit their Mountain West Tournament semifinal match against San Jose State, which reportedly has a transgender player on its roster.
Boise State made the decision to withdraw from the tournament Wednesday night, hours after the Broncos beat Utah State in the opening round of the tournament, 25-19, 18-25, 25-20, 25-23. That set up a game against the Spartans, a team Boise State forfeited twice against during the regular season, in Friday’s semifinals.
"The decision to not continue to play in the 2024 Mountain West Volleyball Championship tournament was not an easy one,” Boise State said in a statement. “Our team overcame forfeitures to earn a spot in the tournament field and fought for the win over Utah State in the first round on Wednesday. They should not have to forgo this opportunity while waiting for a more thoughtful and better system that serves all athletes."
Boise State has not specified the reported transgender player as the reason for any of the forfeitures, but when Boise State forfeited its first match against San Jose State in September, Idaho Gov. Brad Little praised Boise State and alluded to an executive order he signed in August. The Idaho Press reported that that executive order directs all public schools in Idaho to comply with a 2020 law to prevent transgender girls and women from competing in women’s sports, despite that law being blocked by courts while being litigated.
“I applaud Boise State for working within the spirit of my Executive Order, the Defending Women’s Sports Act,” Little posted on X. formerly Twitter, on Sept. 27. “We need to ensure player safety for all of our female athletes and continue the fight for fairness in women’s sports.”
Wyoming, Utah State and Nevada also canceled Mountain West matches against the Spartans this season, as did Southern Utah in a non-conference match.
The Idaho Press is not naming the player who is reported to be transgender as neither her, nor San Jose State, have commented publicly on her gender identity.
It is unclear when or how Boise State made the decision to withdraw from the tournament. The Mercury News, located in San Jose, reported shortly after the match that a Boise State spokesperson said the school had not made a decision on whether or not it was playing.
That decision was made by the end of the night, however, with Boise State sending its statement shortly before 11 p.m. MST on Wednesday.
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