Ex‑SJSU coach sues for wrongful termination
Melissa Batie-Smoose, a former San Jose State University women's volleyball assistant coach, filed a lawsuit against the Board of Trustees of the California State University system alleging wrongful termination after her contract was not renewed following a midseason suspension tied to a Title IX complaint. The complaint stems from her challenge to the program’s handling of a transgender athlete, Blaire Fleming, and related allegations involving teammate Brooke Slusser; Mountain West conducted an investigation that it said found insufficient evidence.
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Ex-SJSU volleyball coach who spoke up about trans athlete issue files lawsuit for wrongful termination
New information:
- Plaintiff: Melissa Batie-Smoose filed a wrongful termination suit against the CSU Board of Trustees.
- Context: Batie-Smoose was suspended midseason after she filed a Title IX complaint at the end of last October regarding the program’s handling of a transgender athlete (Blaire Fleming) and allegations involving teammate Brooke Slusser.
- Contract/status: Her contract was not renewed when it expired in February; SJSU declined further comment citing pending litigation.