Legal Battle Over SJSU Volleyball Scandal
Melissa Batie-Smoose, a former assistant volleyball coach at San Jose State University (SJSU), has filed a new lawsuit alleging mistreatment during and before a scandal involving a transgender athlete. Batie-Smoose initially filed a lawsuit last October, which was dismissed in September, but she now presents new claims about events leading to her suspension and subsequent dismissal.
The complaint accuses SJSU head coach Todd Kress of hostility towards Batie-Smoose’s political and religious beliefs. She alleges Kress mocked her support for Donald Trump and reacted aggressively to her objections to a transgender athlete’s participation. Batie-Smoose states she repeatedly expressed her belief that “God made man and woman” and claims Kress reacted with disparagement.
Allegations further claim Kress belittled her during practice, affecting her relationship with players. He allegedly reduced her coaching duties and excluded her from meetings. Batie-Smoose’s working relationship with Kress started earlier at Florida State and Fairfield University before joining SJSU in January 2023.
Batie-Smoose details a confrontation in August 2023, following a canceled recruiting visit due to a hurricane. She claims Kress ignored her and later berated her in her office, making her feel unsafe. Despite reporting the incident, no disciplinary action was taken against Kress.
The lawsuit also describes incidents involving Kress’s behavior towards players, including harsh treatment leading to panic attacks and an incident of excoriation in front of the team. Additionally, it references a 1998 accusation against Kress reported in 2024, alleging that SJSU handled it inadequately.
On October 29, 2024, Batie-Smoose filed a Title IX complaint regarding the unequal treatment of athletes. Shortly after, the university placed her on administrative leave. A letter issued November 2 banned her from campus activities, citing misconduct allegations. Batie-Smoose claims these accusations were a pretext for disparate treatment compared to Kress.
The parallel legal battle includes the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights’ 2026 findings letter, noting Title IX violations in SJSU’s program. It highlighted disparate treatment between Batie-Smoose and Kress, questioning the selective application of privacy and team stability concerns.
Furthermore, CSU is engaging in litigation against the Education Department, arguing compliance with laws and NCAA rules during 2022-24. The dispute involves federal threats of enforcing actions affecting funding and changes to NCAA policies on transgender athletes.
Batie-Smoose’s lawsuit seeks compensation, reinstatement, and the correction of adverse personnel records. Cisco College appointed her head volleyball coach in April 2025. The filing continues her effort to address perceived injustices and loss of employment due to the ongoing controversy at SJSU.