A former San Jose State University volleyball coach claims she was dismissed from her position after raising concerns about a trans athlete on the women’s team.
Melissa Straw, who moved her family from Connecticut two years ago to take the coaching position, said she was terminated after standing up for women’s sports and refusing to conceal information from potential recruits and their families.
“This was never told to me in advance. And I was supposed to continue to recruit new student athletes and lie to their families,” Straw said, reflecting on her 30-year career in coaching coming to an end.
The situation has affected team members as well. Brooke Slusser, co-captain of the team, expressed support for Straw in comments to Fox Digital, saying, “You can’t truly voice how you’re feeling without them just trying to cover it up. With Melissa, you could voice how you felt and you could comfort you and validate your feelings and at least make you feel heard.”
Straw described a challenging environment where she claims the administration, athletic department, and head coach were focused on protecting the transgender athlete while “gaslighting everybody involved.” She expressed particular concern for the student-athletes, noting that their collegiate volleyball experience has been significantly impacted.
“It’s unfortunate they have four years to play collegiate volleyball. And, you know, their last two years were affected so much and not being able to play some of their matches,” Straw said.
When reached for comment, San Jose State University stated they were unable to comment on the situation.
The controversy emerges amid ongoing national discussions about transgender participation in women’s sports, with recent policy changes being considered at various levels of athletic administration.
“We need to continue it. And it has to become the laws change and the NCAA get to make those changes necessary so that we save women’s sports,” Straw added.
