San Jose State University Volleyball Scandal: Parents of Brooke Slusser Speak Out

Recently, the parents of Brooke Slusser, a former co-captain of the San Jose State University (SJSU) volleyball team, have broken their silence after the U.S. Department of Education found that the university violated Title IX during her enrollment. Slusser became a key figure challenging the university in a 2024 scandal involving a transgender athlete, Blaire Fleming.

Slusser filed a lawsuit against SJSU and the Mountain West Conference, alleging that she was forced to share living and changing areas with Fleming without being informed of Fleming’s biological sex. The Education Department determined that the trans athlete had conspired with a player from another team to have Slusser spiked in the face during a match.

Slusser’s parents, Paul and Kim Slusser, issued a statement to Fox News Digital, expressing their views on the situation. They welcomed the U.S. Department of Education’s enforcement actions, noting past inaction on similar matters: “We’re thrilled that the Trump administration, Secretary McMahon, and the Department of Education are taking action on the issue of men in women’s sports—something the last administration did not do! San Jose State University completely failed its female athletes, and it’s about time they’re held accountable,” their statement read.

“We’re watching closely to see how they respond, and our next step is to fight for justice in court. San Jose State and the Mountain West Conference betrayed the volleyball team, and they will have to answer for it.”

The parents have witnessed their daughter suffer from an eating disorder and face academic challenges related to the incident. Slusser’s significant weight loss contributed to serious health concerns, as she explained to Fox News Digital: “I went from around 160 to 128 [pounds] in that one semester… it was definitely severe,” said the 5-foot-11 athlete.

Following the 2024 season, Slusser’s physical state prompted her parents to demand that she return home to Texas. “As soon as the season was over, she came home for Christmas, and we were like, ‘You’re not going back’,” Paul Slusser told Fox News Digital. Her return to Texas was not without consequences, as her online class withdrawal resulted in the loss of her scholarship, placing a financial burden on her family as they had to cover tuition and housing costs themselves.

The Education Department has set a deadline of February 11, 2026, for SJSU to meet certain conditions or face enforcement action. These terms include the adoption of biology-based definitions of sex and separation of sports based on biological sex. Additionally, SJSU must restore records to female athletes whose records were misallocated to male athletes in women’s categories and issue apologies to affected athletes.

In response to the government’s requirements, SJSU communicated through a statement stating they’re reviewing the findings and remain committed to a safe, respectful, and inclusive educational environment while aligning with legal regulations.