Trump Administration Finds San Jose State Violated Law Over Transgender Volleyball Player
The Trump administration has officially concluded that San Jose State University broke federal law by permitting a transgender athlete to compete on its women's volleyball team. The U.S. Department of Education announced this determination on Wednesday, stating the university's actions constituted discrimination against female athletes under Title IX, the landmark 1972 gender equity legislation.
Proposed Resolution Demands Apology and Record Changes
In a move to resolve the case, federal education officials have presented San Jose State with a specific agreement. The proposed deal would require the California-based university to adopt the administration's definitions of male and female. Furthermore, the institution must restore any team titles and athletic records that officials claim were misappropriated by male athletes. A formal apology to the affected female athletes is also mandated as a core condition of the settlement.
University representatives have not provided an immediate public comment regarding the administration's findings or the proposed resolution. The Department of Education's action forms part of a broader campaign against educational institutions that permit transgender athletes to participate in sports aligning with their gender identity—a policy President Donald Trump has vowed to terminate.
Legal and Financial Stakes for San Jose State
Should San Jose State University reject the administration's offer, the consequences could be severe. The institution risks facing a lawsuit from the U.S. Department of Justice and the potential loss of critical federal funding. This case mirrors a previous investigation into the University of Pennsylvania, which agreed to a similar settlement involving modifications to records set by transgender swimmer Lia Thomas and apologies to other team members.
Department officials assert that San Jose State not only violated Title IX by including the transgender athlete on the team but also by allegedly retaliating against players who publicly criticised the decision. We will not relent until SJSU is held to account for these abuses and commits to upholding Title IX to protect future athletes from the same indignities, stated Kimberly Richey, the assistant secretary for civil rights at the Education Department.
National Controversy and Team Backlash
The San Jose State women's volleyball team found itself at the centre of a national debate after nine team members filed a lawsuit challenging league policies that allow transgender athletes to compete. The players argued that such inclusion creates an unfair playing field and presents potential safety risks. The controversy escalated to the point where several opposing teams refused to play against San Jose State, resulting in forfeited matches and losses for the university.
Notably, San Jose State has never officially confirmed the presence of a transgender player on its volleyball roster. As stipulated in the proposed agreement, the university would be required to send personalised apology letters to every woman who played on the women's indoor volleyball team from 2022 through 2024, as well as the 2023 beach volleyball team. Apologies would also extend to any female athlete who forfeited a match rather than compete against San Jose State during this period.
