A former softball participant on the College of California, Berkeley accused an ex-coach of pushing her right into a sexual relationship and punishing her for ending it, based on a bombshell lawsuit.
The allegations from the nameless participant goal Chelsea Spencer, who had abruptly resigned from the place final 12 months, in addition to the college for allegedly failing to take away Spencer after being notified of the connection.
Within the lawsuit, the participant claimed Spencer made advances on her not too lengthy after the participant joined the softball workforce as a pitcher in 2023.
The coach would name and textual content her day-after-day about private matters and provides compliments corresponding to “You’re so stunning” and “Your girlfriend is so fortunate,” the grievance alleged.
These conversations mattered, legal professionals for the previous participant stated. Her enjoying time would enhance or lower relying on how the participant responded to Spencer’s inquiries, the allegations stated.
Spencer’s advances allegedly escalated in Could 2024 when the 2 ended up in a lodge room collectively throughout a workforce journey. The intimacy was “mutual,” the participant alleged, however there was an influence dynamic in play.
“Preserving Spencer emotionally happy was crucial not solely to guard [her] personal place and enjoying alternatives, but additionally to maintain the workforce functioning,” the grievance stated.
A few 12 months later, the ex-player determined to finish the connection. That allegedly led to an argument between the 2 earlier than a recreation, by which Spencer allegedly stated, “You’re not pitching.”
A number of college officers, together with the affiliate athletics director, knew concerning the relationship, the lawsuit claimed. However as an alternative of Spencer’s removing, the participant herself was eliminated and missed her senior season, it added.
In response to the lawsuit, that removing successfully ended her softball profession and led her to depart campus to review on-line for the remainder of her diploma.
“Pupil athletes at our establishments, they shouldn’t have to decide on between resisting a coach or another person with a big energy imbalance over them, and alternatively defending their very own athletic and academic future,” stated Michael Carney, with the legislation agency Slater Slater Schulman, which is representing the ex-player.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages from the College of California and Spencer.
The previous coach, who had resigned to “prioritize my psychological well being and my household,” informed Berkeleyside that “claims shall be addressed within the applicable authorized processes.” A UC Berkeley spokesperson declined remark to the outlet.
Spencer is a former UC Berkeley softball star who turned the top coach in 2020. She led the Bears to the NCAA Event from 2023 to 2025, and even had signed a contract extension final 12 months.
Spencer was married to an assistant coach on the identical workforce and had two children, based on a 2024 publish.
