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Boston University responds to 'Call Her Daddy' host Alex Cooper's harassment claims
Boston University responds to 'Call Her Daddy' host Alex Cooper's harassment claims
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Boston University is breaking its silence after famed podcaster Alex Cooper alleged sexual harassment at the hands of her soccer coach while she was a student there.
The "Call Her Daddy" host said in a new documentary that she was harassed by head soccer coach Nancy Feldman while playing for the university team in 2014. Feldman was intrusive about her sex life, Cooper alleged, and when she reported it to the university, nothing was done.
"Boston University 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 college wrote in a statement to People Thursday, June 12.
'Call Her Daddy' host Alex Cooper recalls 'psychotic game' of sexual harassment
"We encourage members of our community to report any concerns, and we remain committed to fostering a safe and secure campus environment for all," the statement concluded.
Adding to the claims she made in the docuseries, "Call Her Alex," Cooper took to Instagram June 12, blasting both Feldman and the university administration for a culture of complicity.
"Nancy Feldman was someone I trusted. 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," Cooper wrote.
"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%," she continued. "I reported the abuse to the athletic director, Drew Marrochello, and I was turned away and ignored. There was no accountability, no investigation, and no justice.
"So when I found out the harassment and abuse was STILL happening on that campus today - 10 years later by Nancy Feldman's successor and my former assistant coach, I knew I needed to share my story," Cooper added. "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. Stay tuned."
Boston University has not respond to USA TODAY's request for comment. Feldman could not be reached, and the documentary, directed by Ry Russo-Young, does not include a statement from the university or its former coach. No charges were ever filed. (Feldman retired from BU in 2022.)
Cooper's post comes on the heels of a round of revelations that shocked fans. For someone whose very brand is that nothing is off limits, the new docuseries, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, offered a rare glimpse at the parts she keeps private – including her story of abuse.
In "Call Her Alex," the new media darling told interviewers that during her sophomore year, she noticed Feldman "really starting to fixate on me, way more than any other teammate of mine. And it was confusing."
"It was all based in her wanting to know who I was dating, her making comments about my body and her always wanting to be alone with me," she added, "It was this psychotic game of, 'You want to play? Tell me about your sex life,'… 'I have to drive you to your night class. Get in the car with me alone.'"
Contributing: Erin Jensen
