A former University of California, Berkeley softball player is accusing an ex-head coach of using her position of authority to pressure the player into a sexual relationship and allegedly threatening her playing time if she ended it.
The complaint, filed Aug. 24 in Alameda County Superior Court and obtained by OutKick, alleges Cal failed to intervene and allowed Chelsea Spencer to remain as head coach for months after athletic department staff learned of the alleged relationship.
Spencer ultimately stepped down last year in June, four months after agreeing to a multi-year contract extension. According to the lawsuit, a subsequent Cal investigation concluded that Spencer had violated campus policy regarding conflicts of interest in consensual relationships. The filing does not detail the dates when the probe started or ended. It also alleged Spencer was not cooperative in the process.
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In an email to OutKick on Friday, a Cal spokesperson declined to comment on the lawsuit or the school’s investigation into Spencer.
The former softball player retained the services of Slater Slater Schulman law firm. Gizem Gures, an attorney at the firm, referenced Cal’s reputation and its response to the investigation in a statement to USA Today Sports about the lawsuit.
“Berkeley proudly holds itself out as the No. 1 public university in the world. That reputation comes with a responsibility to protect its students. As a Cal alum, it is deeply disappointing to see what our client experienced and how the University responded after its own investigation substantiated the conduct. Our client deserved better. Berkeley’s students deserve better. The University needs to do better,” the statement read.
The complaint further alleges that Spencer’s advances toward the former player started in fall 2023, after the unnamed player joined the softball team as an incoming transfer. It says Spencer contacted her daily, via phone calls and text messages. Those communications eventually took on a romantic tone.
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At one point, Spencer allegedly told the player, “you’re so beautiful” and “your girlfriend is so lucky.” The complaint further alleges that Spencer shared details about her personal life and gave gifts in the form of cash.
Once the player effectively ignored the coach’s messages, Spencer allegedly became angry and cut her playing time as punishment, the complaint claims.
“When Plaintiff did not provide Spencer the attention she demanded, Spencer yelled at Plaintiff, treated her differently, and reduced or withheld Plaintiff’s playing opportunities,” the complaint states. “Plaintiff thus began to recognize, even before the relationship became sexual, that Spencer’s personal demands and Spencer’s authority as Head Coach were intertwined.”
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The former player argued that Spencer’s conduct and the university’s alleged negligence caused her severe emotional distress and forced her to end her collegiate softball career earlier than she would have otherwise. She is seeking a jury trial and damages for personal injuries and other losses.
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