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EXCLUSIVE: Brooke Slusser, the former co-captain of the San Jose State University volleyball team, is currently completing her final semester online from her home in Texas. This move comes after she experienced significant harassment both on campus and online, as well as ongoing mental health challenges related to a scandal that has severely impacted SJSU’s volleyball program.
Slusser is in the midst of legal proceedings against the university, prompted by her interactions with transgender former teammate Blaire Fleming. She has revealed to Fox News Digital that the decision to leave campus was driven by a profound sense of insecurity and fear for her safety.
“I would be walking around, and I had people shouting at me. One girl even screamed, ‘f— you!’,” Slusser recounted. She described an incident in an elevator where some individuals suggested she should have physically confronted her.
“I literally just didn’t feel safe. Whenever I stepped outside, it felt like everyone was watching me. I constantly had to be on guard while on campus,” she said.
Background of the Lawsuit
In September, Slusser aligned herself with Riley Gaines in a lawsuit against the NCAA. Their case alleges that SJSU’s volleyball coaches and administration failed to disclose crucial information about Fleming’s birth sex during the 2023 season. This situation included sharing changing and sleeping arrangements with the transgender athlete.
In November, Slusser escalated her battle by filing her own lawsuit against SJSU and the Mountain West Conference, joining forces with 11 other players and a former coach. This lawsuit claims that Fleming plotted with an opponent to physically harm Slusser during a match. Additionally, it alleges that head coach Todd Kress attempted to remove her from the roster.
Voices of Concern
Despite these challenges, Slusser continued to play for Kress and alongside Fleming while advocating against the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports. This activism brought her national coverage but also led to threats.
“I started receiving threats as I approached the decision to leave campus,” Slusser said. “People warned they would confront me, among other threats.” However, she chose not to report these incidents to university officials.
“I didn’t report anything because it felt like a new normal. As long as no one physically harmed me, I felt powerless against their words,” she expressed.
University Under Investigation
The ongoing conflict at San Jose State has drawn the attention of the U.S. Department of Education, which is investigating the university for potential violations of Title IX concerning its treatment of Fleming. University President Cynthia Teniente-Matson has stated that SJSU will cooperate with the investigation.
A university spokesperson responded to Slusser’s situation, asserting that the institution takes allegations seriously and would act if informed. However, for Slusser, the emotional strain of her experiences outweighed potential interventions from the university.
Personal Impact and Aftermath
“This has been one of the most traumatic experiences of my life,” Slusser recounted. “I felt mentally exhausted. For a period, I was just running on adrenaline, and I lost my sense of self. I usually consider myself a happy person, but I couldn’t be that for a while.”
Slusser is not alone in her fight. Several players from last year’s team have also distanced themselves from SJSU in light of the controversy. Following the December season, nearly all NCAA-eligible players entered the transfer portal to pursue new opportunities.
Former assistant coach Melissa Batie-Smoose, one of the few to vocalize dissent against the university’s handling of the situation, also faced repercussions. Her contract was not renewed this year. Shortly after, her home was vandalized in an incident believed to be a targeted attack.
Making an Impact in Advocacy
Despite the difficulties, Slusser finds hope in the broader dialogue surrounding transgender inclusion in women’s sports. Her involvement has sparked important legislative discussions and changes in policies.
“I endured a lot to get here, yet I have never regretted my decision to speak out,” Slusser said. “It was challenging but necessary. We’ve made strides, but there is still significant work ahead.”
In early February, President Trump introduced the “No Men in Women’s Sports Act.” Subsequently, the NCAA revised its gender eligibility rules. Despite these developments, many states, including California, have resisted compliance with the executive order, allowing transgender athletes to compete in women’s sports.
“I receive messages from younger athletes weekly who share their struggles with similar issues,
