Stanford Gymnast Alleges Bullying by Head Coach in Lawsuit
A former Stanford gymnast has filed a lawsuit accusing head coach Thom Glielmi of persistent bullying, claiming the coach called him 'annoying' and a 'waste of resources' and that the university ignored his concerns.
A former star gymnast at Stanford University has filed a lawsuit alleging that head coach Thom Glielmi subjected him to years of bullying and mistreatment, claims that the university largely ignored despite repeated warnings. The lawsuit, filed by Kaien J-Spencer, details accusations that Glielmi verbally abused him, questioned his friendships, and marginalized him from the team.
According to the lawsuit, Glielmi allegedly told J-Spencer he was "fking annoyed the st" out of him after the gymnast successfully competed and sought a spot in the next lineup. The coach also reportedly questioned J-Spencer's social standing, asking if his friends actually liked him or knew him. J-Spencer's mother, Jessica Jacobs, stated that she reported the alleged abuse to Stanford officials for two years but her concerns were ignored, even when her son expressed suicidal thoughts.
J-Spencer, a two-time NCAA team champion, joined the varsity team in 2022. The lawsuit claims that following his complaints in May 2025 to Stanford Athletics and Human Resources, which detailed manipulation, exclusion, public humiliation, and harm to his emotional well-being, Glielmi and other personnel began to exclude him from coaching interactions. He also reportedly contacted Stanford Athletic Director John Donahoe multiple times regarding the mistreatment and retaliation but received no response.
The suit further alleges that Glielmi interfered when J-Spencer sought help from another coach, imposing what appeared to be arbitrary and difficult requirements. An assistant coach reportedly submitted a report to Donahoe in March 2026, observing J-Spencer being "shunned" and believing Glielmi was deliberately hindering the athlete's ability to compete.
Glielmi allegedly attempted to prevent J-Spencer from competing in his senior year, excluding him from team lineups without specifying grounds. The lawsuit characterizes this exclusion as retaliatory. J-Spencer eventually transferred to the University of California at Berkeley, incurring $50,000 in costs, before returning to Stanford to complete his degree requirements in the summer of 2026.
A Stanford spokesperson stated that the university prioritizes the well-being of its student-athletes and will respond to the lawsuit's claims through the legal process, declining to comment on pending litigation.
J-Spencer is seeking over $35,000 in damages, including compensation for tuition, relocation, treatment, and attorney's fees. He is also demanding a jury trial. Glielmi has coached Stanford's gymnastics team for 24 years and has led the team to eight national championships.
