Just three days after Boise State’s decision to forfeit a women’s volleyball match, citing the presence of a transgender player on the other team, San Jose State athletic director Jeff Konya emailed his counterpart Jeremiah Dickey requesting that Boise State compensate them for an estimated loss of at least $1,250 due to the game cancellation.

In his email, Konya stressed that San Jose State had followed all NCAA and Mountain West conference regulations regarding transgender athletes, stating: “(F)rom a practical matter, your institution’s arbitrary decision not to play an otherwise eligible team has resulted in harm to SJSU financially and our institution brand.”

The $1,250 loss, Konya explained, was mainly related to expected revenue from concessions and parking. He concluded with a request: “I would ask to be made whole at the very least.”

Representatives for both San Jose State and Boise State informed YSL News Sports that Dickey did not reply to the email, and Boise State did not provide any compensation.

This email to Dickey was one of many uncovered through public records requests that highlight the timeline and repercussions of Boise State’s decision, which has fueled tensions in the Mountain West. Three additional teams in the conference – Wyoming, Utah State, and Nevada – have also opted not to compete against San Jose State.

The forfeits have propelled the Spartans to a 7-3 conference record, putting them in a favorable position to qualify for the six-team conference tournament, and possibly the NCAA tournament if they secure the league’s automatic bid.

The transgender player involved, who remains unnamed by YSL News Sports due to a lack of confirmation regarding her gender identity from her or the school, continues to be a member of the San Jose State team. She has played for two seasons without incident, including time at a previous institution. This ongoing controversy is expected to intensify as the postseason approaches in late November.

A Mountain West official mentioned that the conference volleyball handbook requires schools to confirm their participation in the conference tournament by November 22. All four teams that forfeited to the Spartans are still in contention for the Mountain West tournament.

The uproar regarding San Jose State is linked to a Title IX lawsuit filed in Georgia, which challenges NCAA rules permitting transgender athletes to compete in women’s divisions regardless of existing strict testosterone-testing protocols from organizations like USA Volleyball and the NCAA itself.

San Jose State co-captain Brooke Slusser joined the lawsuit, stating she only became aware of her teammate’s transgender status after an article from the site Reduxx revealed it in April.

Most Players from Wyoming Wanted to Compete Against San Jose State but Were Dissuaded

Since then, activist groups have urged schools within the Mountain West and their players to refuse to compete against San Jose State as a protest against transgender participation in sports. This topic has gained significant traction, especially among Republican politicians amid the election season and Donald Trump’s presidential campaign.

In Wyoming’s case, YSL News Sports discovered that most players wished to compete but were advised against it due to political pressure and threats from state legislators regarding potential cuts to university funding.

Conversations with these activist groups influenced Boise State’s decision-making before the announcement of their forfeit, as indicated by obtained documents.

Documents suggest that the idea of forfeiting was seriously contemplated about a week before Boise State’s two-game road trip that included matches against Fresno State on Thursday, September 26, and San Jose State on the following Saturday.

On Saturday, September 21, Dickey reached out to senior women’s administrator Christina Van Tol and members of the volleyball staff, proposing a Zoom meeting with the team on either the Monday or Tuesday before their Wednesday departure for the road trip.

Head coach Shawn Garus responded, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that all players received the same information while highlighting their awareness of the NCAA regulations and the likelihood of being approached regarding this matter.

Activist Groups Conferred with Boise State Leaders Just Two Days Prior to Forfeit Announcement

Van Tol proposed that university officials clarify the rules and provide players with an anonymous survey to express any concerns they might have regarding the potential match against San Jose State.

“It’s important to recognize that student-athletes may want to express their thoughts on this issue, but not in a public setting,” she wrote. “The aim is to allow them to indicate any hesitations or issues they may have about competing against the SJSU athlete.”

The outcome of the meeting remains unclear.

However, on September 25, two days prior to the forfeit announcement, university officials held a conference call with Doreen Denny from Concerned Women for America, Marshi Smith from the Independent Council on Women’s Sports, and Idaho state representative Barbara Ehardt, a former Cal State Fullerton head basketball coach who sponsored the first legislative bill banning transgender athletes in women’s sports.

“The purpose of the meeting was educational – to convey the same information and concerns shared by the Independent Council on Women’s Sports and Concerned…

“`

State chapters of Women for America have sent letters to universities in the Mountain West to raise awareness about legal claims in a lawsuit involving the NCAA. They aim to highlight the universities’ responsibilities to their athletes as well as the significance of Title IX regulations and duties,” Denny mentioned in an email to YSL News Sports.

On the call from Boise State, the attendees included university general counsel Matt Wilde, senior counsel for government relations Jennifer White, and athletics director Dickey.

YSL News Sports inquired if Dickey had discussions with any LGBTQ advocacy groups, either from the university or the broader community, that might have offered an alternative or more supportive perspective on transgender athletes’ participation in sports. A spokesperson for Boise State stated that he did not engage with such groups but did not provide further reasoning.

This contrasting attitude – with university officials being very responsive to supporters of the forfeit decision but less so to those with opposing views – was evident in the emails Boise State shared with YSL News Sports. Garus acknowledged and replied to over a dozen messages commending the university for its decision, thanking each supporter.

For instance, a man from Minnesota, who claimed no connection to the university, offered to make a tax-deductible donation, stating, “I don’t think a women’s team should have to forfeit to a team that includes a male.”

Just six minutes after receiving the email on September 30, senior associate athletics director Cody Gougler replied, expressing appreciation for the individual’s willingness to support the volleyball program financially. He later sent another email thanking him again for the generous offer. Within an hour, assistant athletics director Justin Rogers also reached out, sharing a link and instructions for making a donation specifically for women’s volleyball.

A spokesperson for Boise State told YSL News Sports that it was uncertain how many donations had been made or lost as a result of the forfeit decision.

Nonetheless, internal communications and public relations documents from Boise State indicated that the university was monitoring responses, with Dickey noting that the majority of messages he received were supportive. “I am responding to those who reach out to me. I’ve only received three negative emails so far,” he wrote to his staff on the evening of September 28. “More positive feedback. We will find a way forward!”

Dickey reiterated this sentiment in a conversation with school president Marlene Tromp. After receiving an email from a student who identified as queer, sharing feelings of lack of acceptance and safety on campus, he conveyed that “we haven’t received many negative emails…most are positive.” Tromp responded the following day, saying, “I have received several truly heartbroken messages from students.”

As more messages expressing concern came in, Tromp wrote to associate vice president Lauren Griswold and dean of students Chris Wuthrich, suggesting that many of the messages were part of a “click and send” email initiative.

“Can your team look into this?” she queried Griswold.

While Tromp seemed to have no direct involvement in the decision to forfeit, it fell to Wuthrich to respond to these emails.

His standard response assured that Boise State “welcomes and unequivocally supports our transgender students” and that “recent media reports have brought to light a complex issue within college athletics.” He also provided contact information and online resources for LGBTQIA+ students who might need support or counseling services.