SJSU Faces Title IX Violations Over Trans Volleyball Player

University responds to federal probe finding it allowed biological male to compete on women's team

Jan. 28, 2026 at 8:07pm

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The U.S. Department of Education has found that San Jose State University violated Title IX by allowing a transgender student to compete on the women's volleyball team. SJSU has been given 10 days to comply with a series of agreements, including issuing a public statement acknowledging that biological sex is unchangeable and separating sports based on biological sex.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing debate over transgender athletes competing in women's sports, with concerns that it can create an uneven playing field and disadvantage biological female athletes. The Department of Education's findings and demands for SJSU to take corrective action underscore the federal government's stance on protecting women's sports.

The details

The Department of Education's investigation was launched after several teams forfeited games against SJSU due to the presence of a transgender player on the women's volleyball team. The department found that SJSU did not properly investigate an alleged incident where the transgender player conspired to have an opposing player spiked in the face, and that the university retaliated against a female athlete who 'misgendered' the transgender player.

  • The Department of Education launched its investigation into SJSU in February 2026.
  • SJSU has been given 10 days to comply with the Department's findings and proposed resolution agreement.

The players

San Jose State University

A member of the California State University system that has been found in violation of Title IX for its handling of a transgender athlete on the women's volleyball team.

U.S. Department of Education

The federal agency that conducted the investigation into SJSU and found the university in violation of Title IX.

Brooke Slusser

A former SJSU co-captain who joined lawsuits against the NCAA, Mountain West Conference, and SJSU representatives after alleging she was made to share changing spaces and bedrooms with a transgender teammate without being informed the teammate was biologically male.

Melissa Batie-Smoose

A former SJSU assistant coach who was suspended and not re-signed after filing a Title IX complaint against the school for its handling of the transgender athlete.

Blaire Fleming

The transgender student-athlete who competed on SJSU's women's volleyball team, sparking the controversy.

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What they’re saying

“San Jose State, a member of the California State University system, received notification from the federal Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights regarding its investigation into athletics participation on our past women's volleyball teams. The Department informed the University of the outcome of its investigation and its findings. The University is in the process of reviewing the Department's findings and proposed resolution agreement.”

— SJSU (1010wcsi.com)

“San Jose State University caused significant harm to female athletes by allowing a male to compete on the women's volleyball team – and when female athletes spoke out, SJSU retaliated. Today, we found SJSU in violation of Title IX, and we will hold them accountable.”

— Linda McMahon, U.S. Education Secretary (1010wcsi.com)

What’s next

SJSU has 10 days to comply with the Department of Education's proposed resolution agreement or face 'imminent enforcement action'.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debate over transgender athletes in women's sports, with the Department of Education siding with protecting biological female athletes. SJSU's response will set a precedent for how universities handle these sensitive issues going forward.