A former player of the University of California, Berkeley's softball team has initiated legal action against her former coach, Chelsea Spencer, alleging that Spencer used her authority to coerce the student-athlete into a sexual relationship. This lawsuit, filed in Alameda County Superior Court on August 24, names both Spencer and the University of California Regents as defendants, citing claims of negligent hiring, supervision, and failure to provide adequate training and education regarding such relationships.
Spencer, who unexpectedly resigned from her head coaching position in June 2023 despite having a contract that extended through 2028, stated that her resignation was due to the need to prioritize her mental health and family. However, the allegations in the lawsuit paint a troubling picture of her conduct during her tenure as coach.
The plaintiff, referred to as Jane Doe in the lawsuit, claims that Spencer began communicating with her inappropriately shortly after she joined the program in September 2023. According to the complaint, Spencer reportedly contacted Jane Doe daily through phone calls, texts, and social media messages. The nature of these communications quickly escalated to romantic overtures, with Spencer allegedly complimenting Jane Doe's appearance and expressing affection.
As the relationship progressed, the lawsuit alleges that Spencer provided Jane Doe with significant gifts, including cash and electronic items, which further blurred the lines of their professional relationship. By May 2024, the interactions reportedly turned sexual, with claims that Spencer invited Jane Doe to her hotel room, where they engaged in sexual activities. The lawsuit describes the nature of the sexual contact as mutual but suggests that Spencer established a pattern of behavior that included rewards for compliance and consequences for attempts to withdraw.
After Jane Doe attempted to end the relationship, the lawsuit alleges that Spencer retaliated by reducing her playing time and threatening self-harm to manipulate the situation. These actions, according to the complaint, created a hostile environment for Jane Doe, who ultimately felt compelled to leave the softball program.
In the wake of the allegations, UC Berkeley's athletic department became aware of the relationship, with teammates expressing concerns about perceived favoritism and special treatment given to Jane Doe. The university's policy mandates that faculty and staff report any instances of sexual harassment or violence, which should have prompted immediate action.
In May 2025, Spencer reportedly discussed the relationship with an associate athletics director, which led to an investigation by UC Berkeley's Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination (OPHD). The investigation concluded that Spencer had indeed engaged in a sexual relationship with Jane Doe and had failed to disclose this to her supervisors, violating the university's conflict of interest policy.
The lawsuit argues that the university failed to take appropriate measures to protect Jane Doe after staff members became aware of the relationship and the associated preferential treatment. The plaintiff's legal team contends that Spencer should not have remained in her coaching position given the circumstances.
Jane Doe's attorney, Gizem Gures, emphasized the responsibility of UC Berkeley as a leading public university to safeguard its students. The lawsuit seeks unspecified monetary damages from both Spencer and the UC Regents, claiming that the alleged misconduct has severely impacted Jane Doe's academic pursuits and professional aspirations in softball.
In response to the lawsuit, Spencer stated she was unaware of the legal action and indicated that any claims would be addressed through the appropriate legal channels. The ongoing situation raises significant questions about the dynamics of authority in collegiate sports and the responsibilities of institutions to protect their student-athletes.
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