Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo threw his support behind the University of Nevada, Reno volleyball players boycotting an upcoming game against a transgender opponent, then took a dig at NCAA rules allowing biological males in female sports.
“The student athletes at the University of Nevada, Reno have determined that they do not want to play against San Jose State, and I wholeheartedly respect the decision of the players,” the Republican governor said in a Tuesday statement. “No student athlete should ever be pressured to play a game where they don’t feel safe — period.”
His comments came a day after the women’s volleyball players announced that the team has voted to forfeit its Oct. 26 match against San Jose State University, which features male-to-female transgender player Blaire Fleming.
The NCAA Division I team became the fifth to forfeit or cancel its game against San Jose State during the 2024-25 season, following Southern Utah University, Boise State University, the University of Wyoming, and Utah State University.
Idaho Gov. Brad Little, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, and Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon — all Republicans —have also stood behind the decisions by their state universities' teams to accept the loss rather than play against a male-born opponent.
“I believe there are competition and safety concerns with this issue, and it’s irresponsible for the NCAA to put student athletes in a position of balancing their personal safety against the schools, competition, and sports that they love,” said Mr. Lombardo of Nevada.
While the Nevada players have said they will not compete against San Jose State, the university has not canceled the match, citing legal concerns.
“The players’ decision and statement were made independently, and without consultation with the University or the athletic department. The players’ decision also does not represent the position of the University,” said UNR in a Monday statement.
The university said that the state constitution and state law “strictly protect equality of rights under the law, and that equality of rights shall not be denied or abridged” based on factors including gender identity.
At the same time, the university said that no student would be punished for refusing to play.
Twenty-five states have passed measures barring male-born players from competing in female sports based on gender identity, but Nevada is not one of them. Both houses of the state legislature are controlled by Democrats.
In addition, Nevada voters approved in 2022 the Equal Rights Amendment, which prohibits discrimination based on a host of characteristics, including gender identity.
Mr. Lombardo urged the NCAA to take action to protect female athletes. The association currently allows biological males to compete in women’s sports, if they identity as female.
“The NCAA has a responsibility to address this issue in a consistent way that protects the integrity of women’s sports and the student athletes who participate,” he said.
Nevada, Reno has a 3-3 record in the Mountain West, an NCAA Division I conference, and a 10-8 record overall.
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