San Jose State University volleyball lawsuit

Melissa Batie-Smoose, a former assistant women’s volleyball coach at San Jose State University (SJSU), has initiated legal action against the California State University Board of Trustees and 11 employees. The litigation alleges sex discrimination, harassment, and violations of the First and 14th Amendments following her dismissal.

Batie-Smoose claims she faced retaliation after raising religious and Title IX concerns regarding the inclusion of a transgender athlete, Blaire Fleming, on the women’s team. The complaints allege that head coach Todd Kress mocked her political affiliations and religious beliefs, specifically disparaging her as a ‘Trump lover’ and reacting with hostility toward her objections to a male athlete competing on the women’s team. The filing asserts these interactions made her feel ‘physically unsafe’.

Furthermore, the lawsuit alleges that SJSU officials monitored Batie-Smoose to prevent her from discussing the matter with staff or recruits. The legal action also includes claims regarding athlete eligibility, alleging that the university attempted to conceal that the player had previously been deemed ineligible due to testosterone levels exceeding limits by attributing her absence to injuries.