Suspended Coach Accuses San Jose State of Silencing Her in Transgender Athlete Dispute

 Tee suspended Melissa Batie-Smoose, associate head coach of the San Jose State Spartans women’s volleyball team. She has spoken out in defence of her decision to challenge the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports despite facing significant personal and professional risks.

Batie-Smoose, who was suspended indefinitely after filing a Title IX complaint against San Jose State University (SJSU), has raised concerns over the participation of Blaire Fleming, a transgender player on the team.

Batie-Smoose claims that Fleming conspired with an opposing team to intentionally lose a match and injure teammate Brooke Slusser. As a result, 12 women have filed a lawsuit against SJSU and the Mountain West Conference, arguing that Fleming’s participation on the team has violated their Title IX and First Amendment rights.

Suspended San Jose State associate head volleyball coach Melissa Batie-Smoose. SJSU Athletics

In addition, five teams from the Mountain West Conference, including Boise State, Wyoming, Utah State, and Nevada, have cancelled their games against SJSU this season in protest.

In an interview with Fox News host Harris Faulkner on Friday, Batie-Smoose explained that she had reached a breaking point after witnessing the mistreatment of players who voiced concerns about transgender athletes in women’s sports.

“I just couldn’t take any more,” she said, recounting how team co-captain Brooke Slusser had spoken out about the issue. “Speaking out for her rights and that they continued to treat the young women on the team and myself poorly for having our thoughts and opinions, and they were told to us like, we can’t have those.”

Blaire Fleming of San Jose State. Getty Images

Despite the ongoing controversy, Batie-Smoose said she and the players involved in the case have been warned not to speak out further, with threats of termination if they do. “I’ve continued to be told that, you know, the suspension would go to being fired if I speak out,” she added. “So [they’re] continuing to hold that silence over myself and the remainder of the women on the team.”

However, Batie-Smoose emphasised that speaking out was a matter of principle. “To me, it’s like common sense,” she said. “There should not be biological men playing in women’s sports.” She explained that while the situation was not one she or her team members had anticipated, it had become essential to take a stand. “I do think this is an opportunity for me…

I feel so strong that moving forward with this and helping this fight is very important — for the future of young women, my nieces, my grandchildren.”

The San Jose State women’s volleyball team during an October 2024 match. AP

Batie-Smoose also praised the Mountain West teams that have cancelled games against SJSU, calling them brave for standing up for women’s sports. “I’m so proud of those young women who stand up for what they believe in,” she said. “And they’re holding their scholarships and things over their head. I think that is amazing. That’s what we need when everybody stands up and ensures this does not continue.”

The coach also claimed that SJSU players have hesitated to speak out against the issue for fear of losing their scholarships or facing other repercussions. However, Batie-Smoose’s stance has led her to risk her career, emphasising the importance of protecting the integrity of women’s sports moving forward.