RENO, Nev. (KOLO/Gray News) – A college volleyball team says it does not want to play against a team that has a transgender player in an upcoming matchup.
The University of Nevada, Reno women’s volleyball team sent a statement to school officials regarding their intent to forfeit the match.
The matchup in question is scheduled to be against San Jose State on Oct. 26. One of the players for San Jose’s volleyball team is transgender.
According to UNR, the players’ decisions and statements were made independently and without consultation from the school or its athletic department.
School officials went on to say the players’ decision does not represent the position of the university.
“The university and its athletic programs are governed by the Nevada Constitution and Nevada law, which strictly protect equality of rights under the law, and that equality of rights shall not be denied or abridged by this state or any of its subdivisions on account of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, ancestry or national origin,” school leaders said in a statement.
The statement continued, “The university is also governed by federal law as well as the rules and regulations of the NCAA and the Mountain West Conference, which include providing competition in an inclusive and supportive environment.”
UNR says it will move forward with the match as scheduled, but that the players may choose not to participate in the match without suffering disciplinary action.
Copyright 2024 KOLO via Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved.