A former University of California, Berkeley softball player has filed a lawsuit alleging that a former head coach used her position of authority to pressure the player into a sexual relationship and threatened her playing time if she ended it. The complaint, filed Aug. 24 in Alameda County Superior Court, also claims the university failed to intervene after athletic department staff became aware of the alleged relationship.
Chelsea Spencer, the former head coach, stepped down in June of the previous year, just four months after agreeing to a multi-year contract extension. According to the lawsuit, a subsequent investigation by Cal concluded that Spencer had violated campus policy concerning conflicts of interest in consensual relationships. The filing did not specify the dates of the investigation, nor did it detail Spencer's cooperation with the probe.
A spokesperson for Cal declined to comment on the lawsuit or the university's investigation into Spencer when reached by OutKick.
The former player is represented by the law firm Slater Slater Schulman. Gizem Gures, an attorney at the firm, stated that Berkeley's reputation as a top public university comes with a responsibility to protect its students. Gures expressed disappointment in the client's experience and the university's response, even after its own investigation substantiated the conduct.
The lawsuit asserts that Spencer's advances toward the player began in the fall of 2023, shortly after the unnamed player joined the softball team as a transfer. The complaint details daily contact from Spencer via phone calls and text messages, which allegedly evolved into a romantic tone. At one point, Spencer is quoted as telling the player, "you’re so beautiful" and "your girlfriend is so lucky." The complaint further alleges that Spencer shared personal details and provided cash gifts.
When the player reportedly began to ignore Spencer's messages, the coach allegedly became angry and reduced the player's opportunities to compete, according to the complaint. "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."
The former player contends that Spencer's conduct and the university's alleged negligence caused her severe emotional distress and compelled her to end her collegiate softball career earlier than planned. She is seeking a jury trial and damages for personal injuries and other losses.