A former University of California, Berkeley softball player has filed a lawsuit accusing an ex-head coach of leveraging her position of authority to coerce the player into a sexual relationship and allegedly threatening her playing time if the relationship ceased.
The complaint, submitted to the Alameda County Superior Court on August 24, asserts that UC Berkeley failed to intervene and allowed Chelsea Spencer to remain as head coach for several months after athletic department personnel were reportedly made aware of the alleged relationship.
Spencer ultimately resigned from her role last year in June, just four months after signing a multi-year contract extension. According to the lawsuit, a subsequent investigation conducted by the university concluded that Spencer had violated campus policy concerning conflicts of interest in consensual relationships. The legal filing does not specify the start or end dates of this internal probe and alleges that Spencer was uncooperative throughout the process.
When contacted on Friday, a spokesperson for the university declined to comment on the ongoing lawsuit or the internal investigation into Spencer’s conduct.
The former softball player is represented by the law firm Slater Slater Schulman. Gizem Gures, an attorney at the firm, issued a statement regarding the lawsuit, referencing Berkeley’s esteemed reputation and its handling of the investigation.
"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.
Allegations of Coercion and Retaliation
The complaint further details that Spencer’s alleged advances toward the unnamed former player began in the fall of 2023, shortly after the player transferred to join the softball team. It claims Spencer initiated daily contact through phone calls and text messages, which gradually adopted a romantic tone.
At one point, Spencer allegedly told the player, "you’re so beautiful" and remarked, "your girlfriend is so lucky." The lawsuit also alleges that Spencer shared details about her personal life and offered gifts in the form of cash.
When the player reportedly began to ignore the coach’s messages, Spencer allegedly became angry and subsequently reduced her playing time as a form of punishment, 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."
Seeking Damages and Accountability
The former player contends that Spencer’s actions and the university’s alleged negligence caused her significant emotional distress, compelling her to prematurely conclude her collegiate softball career. She is seeking a jury trial and monetary damages for personal injuries and other related losses.