RENO, Nev. (KOLO) – The University of Nevada, Reno women’s volleyball team says they do not want to play against San Jose State over one of the Spartan players being transgender, while the school says the match will go forward.
The University says that on Sunday, a majority of team members sent a statement to the school telling them of their intent to forfeit the match. ESPN reported on the development on Tuesday.
The game is scheduled to take place on October 26.
The university says the players’ decisions and statement were made independently and without consultation from the school or its athletic department, and that their decision does not represent the position of the university.
“The University and its athletic programs are governed by the Nevada Constitution and Nevada law, which strictly protect equality of rights under the law, and that equality of rights shall not be denied or abridged by this state or any of its subdivisions on account of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, ancestry or national origin,” the school said in a statement.
“The University is also governed by federal law as well as the rules and regulations of the NCAA and the Mountain West Conference, which include providing competition in an inclusive and supportive environment,” they continued.
UNR says it will move forward with the match as scheduled, but that the players may choose not to participate in the match without suffering disciplinary action.
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