The Trump administration's Department of Education delivered a stark ultimatum to San Jose State University on March 24, 2026, giving the school 10 days to address Title IX violations stemming from its women's volleyball program or face enforcement actions, including potential loss of federal funding.

The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued a Letter of Impending Enforcement after SJSU refused a proposed resolution agreement. Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey stated that the department had offered "common sense actions" such as separating male and female athletes by biological sex, barring men from women's locker rooms and bathrooms, restoring titles to female athletes, and apologizing to those who forfeited matches. "SJSU remains obstinate, choosing a radical ideology over safety, dignity, and fairness for its own students," Richey said. Without compliance, OCR will refer the matter to the Department of Justice and pursue funding termination.

The controversy centers on transgender athlete Blaire Fleming, a biological male who competed on SJSU's women's indoor and beach volleyball teams from 2022 to 2024. OCR found that SJSU recruited Fleming, instructed coaches not to disclose the athlete's birth sex to female teammates, and allowed shared locker rooms and hotel rooms, creating safety risks and unfair advantages. Female opponents reported injuries from Fleming's powerful spikes, including fingers jammed and players knocked down. One incident involved a conspiracy where Fleming allegedly arranged for an opposing player to spike a ball into an SJSU female athlete's face; SJSU ignored it but filed a Title IX complaint against the victim for "misgendering" Fleming online.

At least seven women's teams, including Utah State and Wyoming, forfeited matches against SJSU in 2024 in protest. Former SJSU co-captain Brooke Slusser, who unknowingly shared an apartment with Fleming, described the shock: "You find out you're just chilling in a bed with a man that you have no idea about."

OCR first determined violations on January 28, 2026, proposing remedies like adopting biology-based sex definitions and restoring records. SJSU rejected it. In early March, SJSU and the California State University system sued to challenge the findings, with President Cynthia Teniente-Matson asserting the university "followed the law and cannot be punished for doing so."

Education Secretary Linda McMahon responded firmly: "Protecting women’s sports is nonnegotiable. After we found SJSU in violation of Title IX, they refused to negotiate a resolution. SJSU, you have ten days to cease your discriminatory practices." The probe aligns with President Trump's February 2025 executive order barring transgender athletes from women's sports and recognizing only biological sex distinctions.

As of Wednesday evening, one day remains into the 10-day window, with SJSU yet to comment publicly on the latest letter. The case highlights escalating tensions between federal Title IX enforcement and state policies supporting transgender inclusion in athletics.