Top Stanford athletics coach branded student ‘annoying’ and a ‘waste of medical and dining resources,’ bullying lawsuit alleges
Stanford gymnast Kaien J-Spencer has sued his former coach, Thom Glielmi, alleging years of bullying, exclusion and retaliation. The lawsuit also claims Stanford failed to act after being told the treatment was harming J-Spencer’s mental health, including when his mother reported possible suicidal thoughts.
J-Spencer, a two-time NCAA team champion, joined the varsity team in 2022 and was removed in August 2024, then reinstated after his mother intervened, the lawsuit says. He filed complaints with Stanford Athletics and Human Resources in May 2025, alleging he was denied coaching and feedback and faced barriers to participating; Stanford said it would respond through the legal process and could not comment on pending litigation.
In short
- A Stanford gymnast alleges his former coach bullied and excluded him.
- The lawsuit says the university was warned about harm to his wellbeing.
- Stanford says it will address the claims through the legal process.
Explained simply
Stanford’s varsity gymnastics team competes in US college sport, where athletes train under university coaches while studying. Kaien J-Spencer joined the team in 2022 and won two NCAA team titles; Thom Glielmi was his coach.
The lawsuit concerns the responsibilities of coaches and universities when an athlete reports mistreatment. J-Spencer alleges that Glielmi bullied and excluded him and that Stanford did not respond adequately to concerns about his wellbeing. The claims have not been resolved in court, and Stanford says it will respond through the legal process.