Former SJSU Volleyball Star's Family Praises Title IX Crackdown on School

The Slussers say SJSU failed its female athletes after a 2024 scandal involving a trans athlete.

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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The family of former San Jose State University volleyball co-captain Brooke Slusser praised the Trump administration's recent Title IX crackdown on the school, which was found to have violated the law during Slusser's time there. Slusser faced discrimination and trauma after being forced to share living and changing spaces with a transgender athlete without her knowledge.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing debates around transgender athlete participation in women's sports and the obligations of schools to protect the rights and safety of all student-athletes. The Trump administration's aggressive enforcement of Title IX in this case could set a precedent for how schools handle similar situations in the future.

The details

The U.S. Department of Education determined that SJSU violated Title IX while Slusser was enrolled, including findings that a transgender athlete conspired with an opposing player to have an SJSU teammate, presumably Slusser, intentionally spiked in the face during a match. Slusser faced an eating disorder and academic setbacks due to the trauma of the situation, leading her parents to demand she leave the school.

  • In 2024, Brooke Slusser filed a lawsuit against SJSU and the Mountain West Conference.
  • In February 2026, the Department of Education gave SJSU an ultimatum to comply with a series of agreements or risk "imminent enforcement action" by February 11, 2026.

The players

Brooke Slusser

A former co-captain of the San Jose State University volleyball team who faced discrimination and trauma after being forced to share living and changing spaces with a transgender athlete without her knowledge.

Blaire Fleming

A transgender athlete who the Department of Education found conspired with an opposing player to have an SJSU teammate, presumably Slusser, intentionally spiked in the face during a match.

Paul and Kim Slusser

The parents of Brooke Slusser who praised the Trump administration's Title IX crackdown on SJSU and are fighting for justice in court.

San Jose State University

The university that the Department of Education found to have violated Title IX during Brooke Slusser's time as a student-athlete.

Mountain West Conference

The athletic conference that Brooke Slusser sued along with SJSU representatives.

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What they’re saying

“We're thrilled that the Trump administration, Secretary McMahon, and the Department of Education are taking action on the issue of men in women's sports—something the last administration did not do! San Jose State University completely failed its female athletes, and it's about time they're held accountable.”

— Paul and Kim Slusser, Parents of Brooke Slusser (Fox News Digital)

“We're watching closely to see how they respond, and our next step is to fight for justice in court. San Jose State and the Mountain West Conference betrayed the volleyball team, and they will have to answer for it.”

— Paul and Kim Slusser, Parents of Brooke Slusser (Fox News Digital)

What’s next

The Department of Education has given SJSU until February 11, 2026 to comply with a series of agreements or face "imminent enforcement action".

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions around transgender athlete participation in women's sports and the obligations of schools to protect the rights and safety of all student-athletes. The Trump administration's aggressive enforcement of Title IX in this case could set an important precedent for how similar situations are handled in the future.