San Jose State University (SJSU) allegedly decided not to suspend or relieve its head volleyball coach during the team’s 2024 transgender scandal, despite Title IX-related complaints against the coach. The decision was reportedly made to avoid potential media attention that would arise from taking any action against the coach.

Investigation Findings

The U.S. Department of Education’s (ED) investigation found that SJSU allegedly gave the coach, Todd Kress, preferential treatment over a female assistant coach, Melissa Batie-Smoose. Batie-Smoose was suspended during the 2024 season and her contract was not renewed the following winter. The reason for her suspension was said to be because she violated the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) for speaking about a trans athlete’s birth sex.

Batie-Smoose’s attorney, Vernadette Broyles, has denied that Batie-Smoose violated FERPA. The ED’s findings state that both coaches had Title IX complaints made against them in 2024, but only Batie-Smoose was penalized. The findings also reference an interview Kress did with ESPN, where he allegedly violated FERPA himself.

University Response

SJSU and the California State University system (CSU) have filed a lawsuit against ED to challenge the findings. The university provided a link to a webpage containing the document for a court order, which prevents any immediate funding cuts to SJSU or CSU.

The order sets up an expedited court process if the federal government decides to act. Until that process occurs, ED’s findings will have no effect on SJSU or CSU’s eligibility for federal funds.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.