BERKELEY, CA — A former Cal softball coach is accused of pressuring one of their players into a sexual relationship and retaliating against them when she tried to stop it, according to a Berkeleyside report that cites a lawsuit filed in Alameda County court last week.
The lawsuit accuses the University of California of failing to protect the student from ex-UC Berkeley Softball Head Coach Chelsea Spencer, according to the report.
It also accuses the Cal officials of failing to act despite knowing about the relationship, according to an SFGate report.
Spencer was not aware of the lawsuit and told Berkeleyside the claims "will be addressed in the appropriate legal processes," according to the Berkeleyside report.
Dan Mogulof, a spokesperson with UC Berkeley, declined to comment on the allegations in the lawsuit.
Spencer spent five years as the Golden Bears' head coach, snapping a five-year postseason drought in 2023, according to her Cal profile.
Spencer resigned from her position last year, saying on X that she wanted to "prioritize her mental health," according to SFGate.
The university's softball program lauded Spencer following her decision. In a post on X, Cal Softball thanked Spencer "for the incredible leadership, dedication and passion that you have given to our program" and wished her the best in the next chapter of her career.
The advances on the former player, only identified as Jane Doe in the lawsuit, began in the fall of 2023, according to the Berkeleyside report.
"You're so beautiful," Spencer is accused of texting the player, according to the Berkeleyside report. "Your girlfriend is so lucky."
Eventually, Spencer coerced the player into a sexual relationship; however, when she tried to distance herself, the coach retaliated by limiting her playing time, according to the Berkeleyside report.
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