Suspended San Jose State Spartans women's volleyball associate head coach Melissa Batty Smooth was found guilty of risking her career to prevent biological males from participating in women's sports. He said he has no regrets.
Batty Smooth filed a Title IX lawsuit against San Jose State after Blair Fleming, a transgender player on the team, allegedly conspired with an opponent to help the team lose and injured teammate Brooke Slusser. He filed a complaint and was suspended indefinitely.
Twelve women are suing SJSU and the Mountain West Conference, alleging violations of their Title IX and First Amendment rights over Fleming, who plays on SJSU's volleyball team.
So far, five teams in the Mountain West Conference have already canceled games against SJSU this season, including Boise State, Wyoming, Utah State and Nevada.
Smooth told Fox News host Harris Faulkner on Friday that she had reached a breaking point.
“I couldn't take it anymore,” she said, recalling that team co-captain Brooke Slusser also spoke out on the issue. “Speaking up for her rights, they continue to treat the young women on the team and me badly for having our thoughts and opinions, and they tell us we can't do that. I got it.”
Faulkner said that despite the publicity of the controversy, the parties involved appear to be very careful about adhering to various rules and laws.
“You're never allowed to talk about it,” Smooth replied. “I kept being told that if I spoke up, I would be suspended and fired. [they’re] I will continue to remain silent on myself and the rest of the women on my team. ”
“But you're talking,” Faulkner observed. “You're risking everything, so this is important to you.”
“To me, it’s like common sense,” the coach said. “Biological males shouldn't play in women's sports. But we're here now, and I think this is an opportunity for me. It's not something we should all sign up for. No. But I definitely feel strongly that it's very important to move this issue forward and support this fight and make sure we save women's sports for the future of our young women, my nieces, and my grandchildren. I feel it.”
The coach also praised his team for refusing to play SJSU because of the participation of a biologically male player, claiming they are standing up for women.
“I'm so proud of the young women who stand up for what they believe in despite being silenced by the Mountain West,” Smooth said. “And they have their scholarships and other things on their heads. I think that's amazing. That's what we all need to stand up and make sure this situation doesn't continue.” That’s what it is.”
Smooth argued that SJSU players don't speak out against transgender athletes because they fear losing their scholarships and other benefits.
