Report: Air Force Academy Forces Graduate To Conceal ‘Keep Women’s Sports Female’ Shirt At Volleyball Match
Unidentified officials told the graduate that the shirt was 'targeted.'Unidentified officials told the graduate that the shirt was 'targeted.'Air Force Academy forces fan to cover pro-women shirt at women's volleyball game featuring controversial transgender player
Air Force Academy staffers forced a fan to cover his shirt that read "Keep Women's Sports Female" at a women's volleyball game over the weekend that featured a transgender player.
John Kopecky, an Air Force Academy graduate, attended Saturday's game at the Academy. The match was against Mountain West Conference opponent San Jose State University.
The pair firmly told Kopecky that if he wanted to stay he would have to zip his hoodie 'all the way up' so his shirt isn't visible.
SJSU has had a controversial season due to having a male athlete, Blaire Fleming, on the roster. Several NCAA players, including Fleming's own teammate, have spoken out against a male playing against females.
Despite five women's volleyball teams announcing forfeits against SJSU, presumably over the unfairness of having to play against a male, the Air Force Academy decided to play SJSU as scheduled.
According to reporter Dan Zaksheske, Kopecky was wearing a hooded sweatshirt with a shirt underneath that read, "Keep Women's Sports Female."
A video then caught a pointed conversation between Kopecky and two Air Force Academy representatives — a male and a female — who told him his shirt is "political" and that they are "trying to keep it comfortable and safe" at the arena.
"How is it political?" Kopecky asks.
"How is it not?" the male replied.
Kopecky told the pair that he had worn the shirt in question just days prior to an Air Force Academy event, and no one took issue with it. He then asked if it would be OK to wear the shirt to other Academy events.
"Can I wear this to the football game today?"
"Yeah," the female replied. "Sir, we know why you're wearing that ... targeted ..."
"I'm not targeting anything," Kopecky reiterated. "I'm coming here to a women's sports event."
The pair firmly told Kopecky that if he wanted to stay he would have to zip his hoodie "all the way up" so his shirt isn't visible.
They then warned him that he may be forced to leave the arena if he unzips the hoodie, at which point Kopecky said if he was removed from the facility, he would halt all his donations and season ticket purchases.
In an interview with OutKick, Kopecky said the Air Force Academy made specific rule changes for this game in particular, including a banner telling fans that no signs are allowed into the venue.
"They brought out a big board with all these rules about fan conduct that may have been there in the past, but I've never seen it [displayed] right at the door," Kopecky told the outlet.
According to OutKick, the school said in a statement that it "takes necessary measures to provide a safe environment at all home athletic events for players, coaches, staff and fans."
In the end, San Jose State defeated the Air Force Academy 3-1, and OutKick said Fleming led SJSU with 10 kills in the match.
Kopecky also echoed a sentiment that many female volleyball players have revealed after playing against Fleming: "Watching Blaire Fleming play ... the jumping ability was just drastically different. It was just like, 'Wow, there's something you don't see every day at a women's volleyball match.' ... [Fleming was] strikingly more athletic than normal."
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Contra some accounts, the court did not hold that equal protection principles do not apply to the military academies’ admissions practices.Air Force Academy football player suddenly dies after collapsing while walking to class. He was 21 years old.
The Air Force Academy said a cadet suddenly died on Monday after he collapsed while walking to class.
Cadet 3rd Class Hunter Brown, 21, was walking to class from his dorm when he experienced a "medical emergency," the Air Force Academy said in a statement. Monday was the first day of class following the winter break.
First responders performed lifesaving measures, but Brown ultimately passed away. Officials have not yet determined a cause of death.
Brown was a sophomore member of the Air Force Falcons football team. He played on the offensive line and appeared in two games during the 2022 season.
\u201cWith heavy hearts we share the loss of a cadet. \nC3C Hunter Brown died Monday after suffering a medical emergency while on his way to class. \nOur thoughts are with his family, friends, teammates and fellow cadets.\n#NeverForgotten\u201d— U.S. Air Force Academy (@U.S. Air Force Academy) 1673388150
The Air Force Academy said cadets were notified of Brown's sudden death on Tuesday.
"It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness I share with you that we have lost one of our own," Brig. Gen. Paul D. Moga, commandant of cadets, told cadets. "He leaves behind friends, grieving teammates, a grieving cadet wing, and a devastated family."
In a statement, Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Richard M. Clark commemorated Brown.
"Hunter was a standout offensive lineman on the Falcon football team and was well-respected in his squadron," Clark said. "The entire U.S. Air Force Academy mourns his loss, and our hearts and condolences are with his family, his squadron, and all who were touched by this incredible young man."
Troy Calhoun, head coach of the Air Force Falcons football team, said:
Our players, staff and entire Academy have been so blessed and fortunate to have Hunter as a part of our lives. He was a pure joy to coach and have as a teammate. He was tough, a great worker, and no one unselfishly pulled harder for others than Hunter. His mom and dad, Candyce and Dustin, raised a wonderful son who made each of us a better person. We love our great brother, and our thoughts and prayers are with Hunter's incredible soul and his family.
The Air Force Academy said the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and the El Paso County Sheriff's Office are investigating Brown's tragic death.
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