EXCLUSIVE: Utah State University moves to join lawsuit against Mountain West Conference over trans inclusion in women’s volleyball

The lawsuit, filed last week in the District Court for the District of Colorado by female volleyball players across the conference, seeks emergency injunctive relief prior to the November 27 MWC women’s volleyball tournament. Included as a plaintiff in the lawsuit is Kaylie Ray, Utah State University women’s volleyball co-captain.

According to Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz, who spoke to The Post Millennial, USU "will have their petition filed with the courts [Monday] afternoon" in the case. On Monday morning he, along with Utah Governor Spencer Cox, and Utah Senate President Stuart Adams "asked Utah State University to move to intervene in the case against the Mountain West Conference."

He added, "If granted, Utah State University would join 11 women volleyball players from five universities and a coach in requesting the court to enjoin the Mountain West Conference from enforcing its transgender participation policy. 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."

Ray told TPM in reaction to USU's move to join the lawsuit, "Until today, college women athletes have stood alone against the combined discrimination of the NCAA and every college athletic conference in the country that follows the NCAA’s misguided policies that allow men to compete against women in college sports. I am proud that Utah State University has intervened on the side of the Plaintiffs in the lawsuit against the Mountain West Conference, becoming the first University in the country to intervene in a lawsuit to support the rights of women in college sports. Hopefully, Utah State’s action will motivate a flood of schools and college athletic conferences to renounce the NCAA’s anti-women policies."

Other female volleyball players who joined the lawsuit include Brooke Slusser, San Jose State University (SJSU) women’s volleyball co-captain; Nicanora Clarke, a University of Nevada, Reno women’s volleyball team member; Sia Liilii, the University of Nevada, Reno women’s volleyball co-captain; Sierra Grizzle, Macey Boggs, as well as Jordan Sandy, all University of Wyoming women’s volleyball team members; and Katelyn Van Kirk as well as Kiersten Van Kirk, players on the Boise State University women’s volleyball team.

The lawsuit was filed against the MWC Commissioner Gloria Nevarez, the board that oversees SJSU as well as California state schools, SJSU women’s volleyball head coach Todd Kress, SJSU Senior Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Wellness and Leadership Development Laura Alexander, and SJSU Senior Director of Media Relations Michelle McDonald Smith.

The lawsuit details the players' experiences with Fleming and seeks to block Fleming from going to the MWC women's tournament.