A former player from the University of California's softball team has initiated legal action against both the university and Chelsea Spencer, the former head coach. The lawsuit, which was filed on August 24 in Alameda County Superior Court, claims that Spencer pressured the player into a sexual relationship and retaliated by reducing her playing time when she did not comply.
The lawsuit details that the unnamed player believes the university failed to protect her from Spencer's alleged misconduct. It asserts that the athletic department was aware of the inappropriate relationship yet allowed Spencer to remain in her coaching position for several months following the revelation.
Spencer, who had signed a three-year contract extension just four months prior to her resignation in June 2025, was reportedly found to have violated campus policies regarding conflicts of interest in consensual relationships. The timing of the university's investigation into Spencer's conduct remains unclear, but the lawsuit notes that she declined to participate in the inquiry.
A spokesperson for the University of California declined to comment on the ongoing lawsuit or the investigation into Spencer when approached by USA TODAY Sports on September 2.
Gizem Gures, an attorney representing the former player, expressed disappointment in the university's handling of the situation. In a statement, Gures emphasized that the university, which prides itself on being a prestigious institution, has a responsibility to safeguard its students. She conveyed that the experiences of her client and the university's response following its own investigation were deeply troubling.
According to the lawsuit, the inappropriate advances from Spencer began in the fall of 2023, shortly after the player transferred to the university. Spencer allegedly communicated with the player daily, with messages that turned romantic in nature. The former coach reportedly made comments such as, "you're so beautiful" and provided the player with cash gifts, further complicating the dynamics of their relationship.
When the player did not respond to Spencer's messages, the coach allegedly reacted with anger, leading to a reduction in her playing time. The complaint states that the player began to recognize the troubling intertwining of Spencer's personal demands and her authority as head coach.
The relationship reportedly escalated to a sexual nature in May 2024 during a team trip, with subsequent encounters lasting for about a year. The lawsuit claims that Spencer instructed the player to keep the relationship secret and monitored her phone to ensure that messages between them were deleted. When the player sought to end the relationship, Spencer allegedly threatened self-harm and used her authority to influence the player's participation on the team.
Despite initially consenting to the sexual relationship, the lawsuit highlights the significant power imbalance, with Spencer holding a position of authority over the player. The complaint asserts that this dynamic severely impacted the player's collegiate experience.
The lawsuit also alleges that other coaches within the softball program, including Spencer's then-wife, were aware of the relationship. In February 2025, multiple team members reportedly raised concerns about the situation to Gordon Bayne, an associate athletics director at Cal. Following a conversation with Spencer about the relationship in May 2025, the player was removed from the team and completed her final year at the university through online courses, which were funded by the university.
Bayne continues to be employed at the university, and inquiries regarding why Spencer was allowed to continue coaching after initial reports were made remain unanswered. Upon her resignation, Spencer cited a need to prioritize her mental health and family. The university's athletic director at the time expressed gratitude for Spencer's contributions to the program.
The former player claims to have experienced significant emotional distress as a result of Spencer's actions and the university's negligence, ultimately leading to the premature end of her collegiate softball career. She is seeking damages and a jury trial to address her grievances.
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