Former Cal softball coach accused of coercing player into sexual relationship in bombshell lawsuit

A former softball player at the University of California, Berkeley accused an ex-coach of pushing her into a sexual relationship and punishing her for ending it, according to a bombshell lawsuit.The allegations from the anonymous player target Chelsea Spencer, who had abruptly resigned from the position last year, as well as the school for allegedly failing to remove Spencer after being notified of the relationship.In the lawsuit, the player claimed Spencer made advances on her not too long after the player joined the softball team as a pitcher in 2023.The coach would call and text her every day about personal topics and give compliments such as “You’re so beautiful” and “Your girlfriend is so lucky,” the complaint alleged.Those conversations mattered, lawyers for the former player said.Her playing time would increase or decrease depending on how the player responded to Spencer’s inquiries, the allegations said.

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By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Never miss a story Spencer’s advances allegedly escalated in May 2024 when the two ended up in a hotel room together during a team trip.

The intimacy was “mutual,” the player alleged, but there was a power dynamic in play.“Keeping Spencer emotionally satisfied was necessary not only to protect [her] own position and playing opportunities, but also to keep the team functioning,” the complaint said.About a year later, the ex-player decided to end the relationship.That allegedly led to an argument between the two before a game, in which Spencer allegedly said, “You’re not pitching.”Several school officials, including the associate athletics director, knew about the relationship, the lawsuit claimed.

But instead of Spencer’s removal, the player herself was removed and missed her senior season, it a...