"Female athletes deserve the right to a safe playing field, fair competition and equal opportunities. By intervening, Utah will send a clear message that these rights are non-negotiable. The NCAA, Mountain West Conference and other institutions across the nation have failed to take action, thereby undermining vital protections and putting female athletes at risk. We will continue to defend our female athletes and the integrity of our athletic programs," the three Utah political leaders said in a statement.
The filing seeks to rescind the wins awarded to SJSU after USU and other universities (including Southern Utah University in Cedar City) forfeited their matches in volleyball, thus improving their standings. They are suing the Mountain West Conference, its commissioner and San Jose State University. The athlete in question has not come out publicly as being transgender.
"Plaintiff and USU student athlete Kailey Ray expressed concerns about fairness and physical safety. And student athletes on the USU team agreed with Ms. Ray. In October 2024, in response to an anonymous survey, the majority of student athletes on the USU women’s volleyball team indicated that they did not want to play their regular season match against SJSU due to concerns of fairness and to communicate that they do not agree with the TPP and hold strong personal and political beliefs that transgender women should not be permitted to compete in women’s sports," wrote assistant Utah Attorney General Stanford Pursuer in the filing shared with FOX 13 News on Monday.
