Trump’s Education Dept. to probe San Jose St. over trans volleyball player

The U.S. Department of Education will investigate San Jose State for Title IX violations over “the mistreatment of female athletes” in having a transgender woman on its volleyball team.

The announcement came less than 24 hours after President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning transgender women from playing girls and women’s sports.

SJSU, whose women’s volleyball team found itself at the center of a national discussion surrounding transgender athletes last season, was singled out as one of two universities that the department will investigate for possible Title IX violations, along with Penn.

San Jose State did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the investigation.

San Jose State previously issued a statement on Wednesday regarding the executive order, saying it “maintains an unwavering commitment to the wellness, safety and privacy of our students, faculty and staff and to fostering a supportive and caring environment for all.”

Trump’s executive order gives federal agencies, including the Justice and Education departments, wide latitude to ensure universities and other entities that receive federal funding abide by Title IX in alignment with the Trump administration’s view, which interprets “sex” as the gender people are assigned at birth.

The Spartans became the subject of national news last fall when Brooke Slusser, co-captain of the women’s volleyball team, joined a lawsuit in September accusing the NCAA of discriminating against women by allowing transgender women to compete in women’s sports.

In the lawsuit, Slusser claimed one of her teammates was transgender, contended that the teammate had a physical advantage over both teammates and opponents and that her teammate was given a scholarship over other women.

Slusser said she was not told her teammate was transgender despite travel accommodations placing them together. The Bay Area News Group has not named the student because she has not publicly confirmed her status.