Education Department Finds SJSU Violated Title IX Over Male Volleyball Player

The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights concluded that San José State University violated Title IX and has given the university 10 days to accept a proposed resolution requiring public apologies and restoration of athletic records and titles, OCR said.

OCR opened its investigation in February 2025 after allegations that SJSU allowed a biologically male student, Blaire Fleming, to compete on women’s indoor and beach volleyball teams and to use female-only facilities, and the Mountain West Conference found insufficient evidence in a separate probe, records show.

Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey said in a department statement that SJSU "caused significant harm" by allowing a male to compete and that the school retaliated against women who spoke out, and San José State University said in a statement that it is reviewing the department's findings and proposed resolution.

OCR's proposed resolution seeks personalized apology letters to every woman who played on SJSU's 2022-2024 indoor volleyball teams and the 2023 beach volleyball team and directs the university to restore any individual athletic records and titles misappropriated by male athletes, according to OCR.

The Education Department warned it could pursue imminent enforcement action, including potential withdrawal of federal funds, if San José State University does not comply with the resolution within 10 days, OCR said.