US podcast star accuses former university soccer coach of sexual harassment
US podcast star Alex Cooper decided to speak out about being allegedly sexually harassed by her Boston University soccer coach because 'there was no accountability, no investigation and no justice', she said.
'I'm coming for all of you.'
Cooper shot to fame in 2018 when she and Sofia Franklyn launched the Call Her Daddy podcast, which is the most listened to podcast for women on Spotify.
In her docuseries Call Her Alex — which released on Hulu this week and is available on Disney+ in Australia — she alleged her college soccer coach, Nancy Feldman, sexually harassed her.
In a new statement posted to Instagram on Thursday, Cooper said the harassment lasted for three years while she was a student.
'Nancy Feldman was someone I trusted,' she said. 'Someone I believed in. Someone who was supposed to help me grow. Someone who was supposed to protect me.'
'But instead she made my life a living hell and abused her power over me.
'She stripped me of my identity and took away what I had worked my entire life for because she didn't control herself.
'This defined my life for a decade and impacted her life 0 per cent.'
Cooper played on the team from 2013 to 2015, according to the BU women's soccer website.
Feldman retired in 2022 after 27 years at the university. Alex Cooper played on the Boston University soccer team from 2013 to 2015, according to the BU women's soccer website. Credit: Instagram
In the docuseries, Cooper alleges Feldman 'fixated' on her, wanted to know who she was dating, made comments about her body, put her hand on Cooper's thigh and wanted to be alone with her.
Feldman once allegedly questioned Cooper about a date and asked whether she had had sex the night before.
Feldman has not publicly commented on the allegations or responded to requests for comment.
The media star said she had reported the abuse to the athletic director, Drew Marrochello, but to no resolve.
'I was turned away and ignored,' she said.
Marrochello did not immediately respond to an NBC request for comment on Friday.
Boston University on Friday said the school has a 'zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment'.
'We have a robust system of resources, support and staff dedicated to student wellbeing and a thorough reporting process through our Equal Opportunity Office,' the school said
'We encourage members of our community to report any concerns, and we remain committed to fostering a safe and secure campus environment for all.
BU did not explicitly address Cooper's claims.
The straw that broke the camel's back for Cooper, she said, was when she learned harassment was still impacting her beloved soccer team.
'When I found out the harassment and abuse was STILL happening on that campus today ... I knew I needed to share my story,' Cooper said. 'This is no longer just about me, this is systemic.'
Cooper went on to say that she's speaking out to be a voice for those who feel they've lost theirs.
'When this initially happened to me I felt like I had no voice,' she said. 'But that is no longer the case.'
'Now I'm coming for all of you who abused your power over innocent young individuals.
'Nancy Feldman, you will no longer be able to hide in the shadows and get away unscathed from the calculated pain you caused me and so many other women.
'Because when I was 18 years old, dismissed and ignored by Boston University, I prayed and wished someone with a voice would have held my hand and helped me through the darkest time in my life. Daddy Gang, I got you,' she said.
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