Las Vegas is set to host one of the most controversial women’s college volleyball tournaments in sports history this week.
This year’s Mountain West tournament will feature San Jose State trans athletes. Blair Flemingand several teams that have already lost to the Spartans this season amid national controversy over Fleming’s presence.
Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo condemned the concept. Trans athletes Fleming will likely be in the national spotlight in her home state just days before competing against the women.
Lombardo released a statement Wednesday saying he believes student-athletes should “compete only with and against members of the same biological sex.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
“Every student, regardless of gender, is entitled to fair and safe competition in high school and college sports. For the well-being of students and the integrity of competition, I believe that students should only be members of the same biological sex. must compete with and against them,” Lombardo said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital.
“As a father of two daughters, I strongly believe in protecting the sanctity of women’s sports. Despite attempts to politicize this issue, my philosophy is simple: women should participate in women’s sports and men should not. No matter what sports a student plays or what extracurricular activities a student participates in, every student deserves to be treated with the utmost kindness and respect – On and off the field, and in the classroom out.”
Lombardo previously weighed in on San Jose State’s controversy over the inclusion of female athletes at the University of Nevada, Reno in October. The varsity volleyball team was scheduled to play San Jose State on Oct. 26, but the Nevada players told their athletic department they did not want to compete against Fleming.
However, the university initially did not respect the players’ wishes, and publicly stated its intention to move the match against San Jose State. A Nevada spokesperson previously told Fox News Digital that the university was doing so to avoid violating a Democratic-passed state law that prohibits trans discrimination.
Lombardo praised the players for taking a stand in an Oct. 15 statement.
“As I’ve said before, I believe there are competition and safety concerns with this issue, and it’s irresponsible for the NCAA to hold student-athletes against these schools, competition and sports for their personal safety. put them in a position to balance what they love,” Lombardo’s statement read.
“The student-athletes at the University of Nevada, Reno have decided that they do not want to play against San Jose State, and I wholeheartedly respect the decision of the players. To ever play such a game on any student-athlete. The pressure should not be placed where they play. t feel the NCAA has a responsibility to address this issue in a permanent way that protects the integrity of women’s sports and student-athletes.”
The players then spoke out publicly and alleged that the university was pressuring them to compete against the Spartans. Nevada then officially forfeited the match the day before it was scheduled to be played, saying it did not have enough players to compete.
Click here to get the Fox News app.
San Jose State Spartans’ Blair Fleming tries to block a shot during the Air Force Falcons game on October 19, 2024 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. (Andrew Weavers/Getty Images)
Four other teams, including three conference rivals, have lost games against San Jose State this season. Those losses gave the Spartans six additional conference wins, as they earned the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye in the upcoming tournament.
Now, there is San Jose State. Encounter is guaranteed. A team that had previously lost to them in the semi-final round of the tournament. Utah State and Boise State, who each declined to face the Spartans, will face off in the quarterfinals on Wednesday night for the right to advance to the semifinals.
A San Jose State spokesperson previously told Fox News Digital that the conference is currently preparing for all teams and players that qualified for the tournament, but has a plan in case of a loss. The plan includes the desire to recognize San Jose State as the conference champion if its opponents lose en route to victory in the finals.
Follow Fox News Digital. Sports coverage on X, And subscribe. Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.