Former SJSU coach files lawsuit over transgender athlete inclusion

Melissa Batie-Smoose, a former assistant women’s volleyball coach at San José State University (SJSU), has filed a renewed federal lawsuit against the California State University Board of Trustees and 11 employees. The lawsuit alleges sex discrimination and violations of the First and 14th Amendments following her dismissal.

Batie-Smoose claims she was retaliated against after raising religious and Title IX concerns regarding the inclusion of a transgender player on the team. She alleges that SJSU officials monitored her to prevent her from discussing the matter with staff or recruits.

Additionally, the lawsuit alleges that the player, Blaire Fleming, was once deemed ineligible to compete during the 2023 season because testosterone levels exceeded eligibility limits. Batie-Smoose claims an associate athletics director informed her of the failed test, but the university allegedly attributed the player's subsequent absence from competition to injuries to keep the eligibility issue secret from the team.