Ex-SJSU volleyball coach sues over Trump mockery amid trans row

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 23:38 · Archive

Former San Jose State volleyball assistant coach Melissa Batie-Smoose has filed a lawsuit alleging head coach Todd Kress mocked her Trump support and religious beliefs.

Former San Jose State University volleyball assistant coach Melissa Batie-Smoose has filed a federal lawsuit alleging mistreatment by head coach Todd Kress during the university's controversy over transgender athlete Blaire Fleming. Batie-Smoose claims Kress mocked her support for Donald Trump in front of players, calling her a 'Trump lover' and 'Trump-loving'. She also alleges Kress reacted with hostility when she expressed her religious belief that a biologically male athlete should not compete in women's sports.

According to the complaint, Kress berated her during practice, cornered her, yelled at her and made her feel 'physically unsafe'. Batie-Smoose says these interactions damaged her relationships with players and negatively affected her standing in the programme. She had worked with Kress previously at Florida State in 2006 and Fairfield University from 2019 to 2022, before joining SJSU as associate head coach in January 2023.

Batie-Smoose filed a Title IX complaint in October 2024 alleging failures to address concerns regarding the transgender athlete and female players. She was placed on paid administrative leave days later and was eventually relieved of her duties. In January, the Trump administration concluded that San Jose State discriminated against women by allowing the transgender athlete to play. Two months later, SJSU President Cynthia Teniente-Matson announced the school and the California State University system are suing the federal government to challenge the discrimination determination. San Jose State has not responded to Batie-Smoose's latest lawsuit.

How it is being reported

• Ex-San Jose State coach sues over alleged ‘Trump lover’ taunts amid trans scandalEx-San Jose State coach Melissa Batie-Smoose is suing head coach Todd Kress, alleging he mocked her political beliefs amid a trans player scandal.New York Post · 15 Oct, 23:19
• Ex-SJSU volleyball coach files new lawsuit alleging retaliation for Trump support, religion amid trans scandalMelissa Batie-Smoose's new federal lawsuit alleges Todd Kress mocked her Trump support and religious beliefs before SJSU stripped her duties.Fox News · 14 Oct, 23:50

In this story: Melissa Batie-Smoose · Todd Kress · San Jose State University · Blaire Fleming · Brooke Slusser

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