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EXCLUSIVE: Former San Jose State assistant women’s volleyball coach Melissa Batie-Smoose has bravely stepped forward to detail her experience following her suspension last season. This decision came shortly after she filed a Title IX complaint containing serious allegations against the university and a transgender player, Blaire Fleming.
Her suspension was announced on the first weekend of November 2024, just days before the presidential election, catching her off guard just minutes before warm-ups for a home game against New Mexico State.
“I walked into the gym and was confronted by an administrator who informed me that I was not allowed any contact with my players or to step foot back on campus. They requested my keys and handed me paperwork stating that all necessary information was included,” Batie-Smoose recounted.
She claims to have left behind personal items on campus and was never clearly informed about the reasons for her suspension, which was explained solely as a violation of FERPA, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
Last week, Batie-Smoose filed a lawsuit against the Board of Trustees of the California State University system, which oversees SJSU and 22 other schools in California. Together with her attorney, Vernadette Broyles, she believes that the suspension was a retaliatory response to her Title IX complaint concerning Fleming.
“We firmly believe there is a retaliatory aspect to their actions,” Broyles stated.
In her Title IX complaint, Batie-Smoose alleged that Fleming colluded with an opposing player to harm co-captain Brooke Slusser during a match on October 3. This incident fueled an already brewing controversy surrounding Fleming as multiple opponents had previously forfeited games against SJSU because of the ongoing litigation involving Slusser.
Slusser alleged that the school had withheld critical information regarding Fleming’s gender identity, even as coaches paired her with Fleming for overnight trips, often at Fleming’s request. “The coaches only consulted with Fleming regarding preferred roommates, without ever involving the other female players,” Slusser revealed.
Batie-Smoose echoed this sentiment, sharing, “Blaire felt comfortable rooming with Brooke, and that’s who she chose.”
The coach also accused SJSU of providing accommodations to Fleming that were not extended to female athletes, including skipping practices without consequences and eating during practice instead of participating.
Importantly, Batie-Smoose was reportedly unaware of Fleming’s transgender identity until after she accepted the coaching position at SJSU. She relocated her entire family from Connecticut, under the impression that she would be coaching only female players.
She claims that she was only informed of Fleming’s identity after she began inquiring further, when head coach Todd Kress reluctantly disclosed this information weeks into her tenure. Furthermore, she alleges that he cautioned her against disclosing this to players or their parents.
“Todd Kress mentioned casually that Blaire is male, and I was warned I would face termination if I told anyone else,” Batie-Smoose said, noting that both Kress and the administration restricted discussions surrounding Fleming’s identity.
Batie-Smoose had no prior experience coaching a transgender athlete, admitting that she did not engage with Fleming directly. Her focus instead remained on protecting the interests of her female athletes. “From day one, I was here to safeguard the privacy, safety, and well-being of the female athletes,” she affirmed.
Despite complying with the directive to maintain confidentiality regarding Fleming for nearly her entire tenure, Batie-Smoose noted a physical and mental toll from the situation. “I was told not to communicate with Brooke or any of the other athletes, and that took a significant emotional strain on me,” she expressed.
The rising tension escalated in November as the issue garnered attention during the election season. Several players requested her to take action, prompting Batie-Smoose to submit her complaint in late October, publicly voicing concerns about Fleming’s alleged conspiratorial actions against Slusser.
The incident in question allegedly occurred the night before a game against Colorado State, where Fleming and two teammates supposedly devised a plan to strike Slusser with the volleyball during play. Reports indicate that Batie-Smoose became aware of these claims once other players confided in her about what had transpired.
The Mountain West Conference subsequently launched an investigation into the matter but closed it, citing a lack of sufficient evidence to warrant action.
In a letter dated November 15, the conference stated that no disciplinary measures would be taken, even as an inconsistency was noted about the date of the game under scrutiny.
Fox News Digital previously reported that the law firm overseeing the investigation, Willkie Farr & Gallagher, is also representing the Mountain West in another lawsuit related to similar allegations against Fleming. Batie-Smoose and Broyles plan to address this potential conflict of interest in court.
“This presents a clear conflict of interest that may jeopardize their objectivity,” Broyles emphasized, adding that their lawsuit seeks compensatory damages, reinstatement, and punitive damages among other forms of relief to ensure the rights of female athletes are upheld.
Batie-Smoose’s contract with SJSU ended at the conclusion of January, and it was not renewed. Following this decision, she faced harassment at her home, including vandalism, which she attributes to her public stance at the university. Police investigations into the incident did not identify a motive.
Having relocated to Texas, Batie-Smoose now faces challenges in continuing her coaching career, citing obstacles in securing employment likely due to the circumstances at SJSU, despite her proven track record in coaching.
“I have experienced significant success in my coaching career, yet I am finding it difficult to get any offers for coaching positions,” she lamented.
San Jose State University and the California State University system have chosen not to comment on Batie-Smoose’s allegations. Meanwhile, attempts to contact Fleming for comment were unsuccessful.
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