Nearly 100 Boston University women’s soccer alumni have reportedly come to the defense of coach Nancy Feldman, who was accused last week of sexual harassment by Alex Cooper during her time at the university.
TMZ reported on Monday, June 16, that it had obtained a letter signed by 99 former BU soccer players, stating that their experiences with Feldman could not have been more different from the allegations made by the “Call Her Daddy” podcast host in her new Hulu docuseries, Call Her Alex.
The group stated that they did not seek to “diminish or discredit anyone’s individual experience,” but rather wished to put their experiences with Feldman on record as a “united group.”
The former college players said that “we categorically never felt unsafe” under Feldman. “We were never at risk of or witness to inappropriate behavior or anything that could be characterized as sexual harassment,” they said, per TMZ.
Boston University Responds to Alex Cooper’s Harassment Allegations
“As a leader, she approached every day with professionalism, making decisions in service of the success of the team,” the letter continued.
The signatories, who TMZ said spanned alumni over several decades, concluded that Feldman “has remained an important part of our lives and we shall stand by her.”
Cooper, 30, played for the university’s women’s soccer team between 2013 and 2015, per the BU website.
In Call Her Alex, which premiered on June 10, Cooper claimed that Feldman began to “fixate on me, way more than any other teammate of mine” during her sophomore year, describing the alleged experience as “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 said, according to People.
“It was this psychotic game of, ‘You want to play? Tell me about your sex life,’” Cooper described one alleged incident. She also claimed that Feldman told her, “I have to drive you to your night class. Get in the car with me alone.”
Alex Cooper Claims Abuse Is ‘Still Actively Happening’ at Her College
In a statement to Us Weekly on Friday, June 13, a Boston University spokesperson said, “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. We encourage members of our community to report any concerns, and we remain committed to fostering a safe and secure campus environment for all.”
Feldman could not be reached for comment by Us Weekly last week.
Cooper studied film and television at BU, graduating in 2017. Feldman retired from the college’s athletics department in 2022 after 27 years of coaching.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
