Brooke Slusser, a former co-captain of the San Jose State University (SJSU) volleyball team, has reported developing severe anorexia and sleep issues, which she attributes to emotional distress during her final season with teammate Blaire Fleming, a transgender athlete. Slusser claims that the distress was exacerbated by a national controversy regarding Fleming's participation in women's sports, which included allegations of harassment and a lack of transparency about Fleming's transgender status.

In her statements, Slusser indicated that she felt unsafe on campus due to harassment from peers opposing her views on the matter. She subsequently withdrew from her classes in the spring semester following their final season together. Slusser has also initiated multiple lawsuits against the NCAA and the Mountain West Conference, alleging that she was not informed of Fleming's birth sex prior to sharing accommodations during team travel.

Fleming has publicly disputed Slusser's claims, stating that Slusser had a history of eating disorders prior to their time together. Fleming's own experiences during the season included reported emotional distress, which she described in a profile published by The New York Times Magazine.

The situation escalated to the point where police protection was assigned to the team due to the heightened tensions surrounding the issue. Slusser's legal actions have drawn significant media attention, particularly in the context of the political climate surrounding gender identity in sports, with notable figures, including former President Donald Trump, commenting on the controversy.

As the season progressed, Slusser and Fleming were both named to the Mountain West all-conference team, despite the ongoing disputes. Following the season, Slusser relocated to North Carolina to work as a youth volleyball coach, while Fleming continued her education remotely. The U.S. Department of Education is currently investigating SJSU for potential Title IX violations related to the handling of these issues.