He said that he was afraid that I would say something about everything., Concerns from donors and behavior at fundraisers. Multiple advances made on both student interns and coworkers, including allegations of sexual relations and attempting to kiss a co-worker after having dinner with a donor, as recently as 2017. She also told investigators Gesser had invited her to his hotel room via text late at night while on the road, which she declined. [Gessers] reputation with WSU is tattered, regardless of what you find, Farkas said in the records. He never wanted a full time job so he went towards the . Ganders told investigators that CAF staff was tired of dealing with the issues surrounding Gesser. Jason Gesser has resigned as assistant AD at Washington State following new allegations of sexual misconduct against him by a former WSU volleyball player. Discover today's celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday. It would have been easier to be quiet, she says. The woman confirmed she had her travels and accommodations paid for by WSU and that Gesser had invited her to the event. During the. I absolutely felt powerless., He said, Everything is OK. That both confused and terrified me, she said. "This was something that was my personal hurt that I would bury deep and take with me.". I want to be involved with the CAF, I want to go to the Gray W because I earned that, and I dont because I dont want to see him, and I just want him stopped.. There was no funny business.. Gesser led WSU to two straight 10 win seasons from 2001-2002, and finished seventh in the 2002 Heisman Trophy race. Streets said. I was very close with their oldest daughter, she still has my signs on her door.. So many thoughts. The guy is a master . Receive News Headlines Right in your Inbox! "He turned that program around like I knew he would," Gesser said of his former Cougars coach. My interactions with Jason and everyone in the Cougar Athletic Fund department were completely professional, she said. Bodeau said she allowed Gesser into her apartment. It shook me up pretty bad when I saw it, to the point where I ran to [Bodeau], who was my boyfriend at the time, Wold said. It was a great way to bring her back into the fold, to support CAF and student-athlete scholarships, since she benefited from a scholarship.. Bodeau grew up a volleyball star at West Valley High School in Spokane Valley. That's why the Titans signed Doug Johnson, a five-year veteran who had been cut by Jacksonville, to be their No. "Seeing how previous allegations were handled sparked fear in them to stay quiet," Bodeau says. It's one thing to read about something like this in the news, or see it on TV. Following allegations from multiple women of sexual misconduct, Gesser resigned from WSU in September 2018. There was enough concern for me to bring to President [Schulz], Picciotto told investigators. Gesser says his ultimate goal is coaching at the college level, preferably at Washington State. The newspaper documented several allegations of inappropriate advances toward student interns and colleagues that prompted a 2017 investigation by the WSU Office for Equal Opportunity. He just kept saying that over and over and I was so confused and terrified about the situation, Wold said. I couldnt pull away, so I put my hand in front of his mouth to try to stop him, she said It didnt stop him. A WSU employee, who the Inlander is not naming and who reported that Gesser tried to kiss her, has also since left WSU. Lutheran Community Services 24-hour sexual assault crisis line: 624-7273. "It was hard," said Gesser, who was a Titans backup in 2003. Bodeau took care of Gesser's children. The Evergreen spoke with the woman in question, whose name has been left out of this article in an attempt to protect her identity and reputation. Jason Gesser has been a stay-at-home dad this NFL season, but the former Washington State quarterback hopes his football fortunes are about to improve. She told me she felt guilty, Steven Bodeau said. Wold said she has wondered why Gesser is still employed at WSU, and said she was disappointed he was still working for the university. What if they don't have the same kind of support system? Adam Ganders, assistant athletic director of the CAF, said he was worried about student interns and athletes babysitting for Gesser, including one he indicated was babysitting for them at the time of his interview in January. Another woman wanting to be heard, but searching for her voice. Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Using WSU funds to fly a woman to a Cougar Legends golf event in Cle Elum in 2016 despite the woman not being a former athlete at WSU, drawing backlash from donors. "She's sad that this is going on and has been going on for so long," he says. No ones been willing to come forward to make an official complaint, Weiler said. Her husband said she originally didnt want to tell him the details, telling him she had received an unwanted text message. In 2013, Gesser returned to Pullman after six years of professional football and several coaching stops, including a stint at the University of Idaho. But I am reserved to see how it will affect her. 3 quarterback. But you know, when a school has so many Rose Bowl heroes to choose from Wold said he first put a hand on her leg during the drive, but removed it once she looked at him. I definitely felt more support just from those results, Bodeau said of the investigation. He . WSU women beat No. During that year-and-a-half, Bodeau said she had frequent interactions with Jason Gesser, who had starred as WSUs quarterback from 1998-2002. Alyssa Wold, now Alyssa Bodeau and former WSU volleyball player, claims Jason Gesser groped her and made unwanted attempts to kiss her without her consent. The more I kept telling him, No and Stop the more he kept telling me how much he liked me.. Making the decision to speak out, she can't overemphasize, was "not the easy route." She then went on to speak about text messages between them, according to the records. She gazes toward her feet, shaking her head, quietly processing her answer. By Almond said in his interviewwith OEO that he felt the need to come forward with his worries to IMG HR after hearing about the alleged relationship with a student-athlete, according to the records. Get breaking news delivered to your inbox as it happens. Alyssa Bodeau didnt know how her life would change after she decided to come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct against former Washington State University quarterback Jason Gesser. Associate Director of Athletics Bill Stevens said Gesser and Director of Athletics Patrick Chun would not comment on the story, citing WSUs policy against commenting on personnel matters. She went on to play at WSU, where she met Gesser's wife, a former volleyball player herself. Jason Gesser was born on 31 May, 1979 in Honolulu, Hawaii, United States. What about the institutions, the power structures that let this go on for so long in the first place? She then picked him up to give him a ride which she said is when the advances began. Various officials, including spokespeople for WSU Athletics, the OEO and Schulz could not be reached for comment by the time of publication despite numerous attempts. He then addressed "the young woman that I made feel uncomfortable," saying, "I truly never meant to cause you harm," though he did not admit to any allegations. View the profiles of people named Jason Gesser. She also said they had both been drinking. and I am deeply committed to my wife . He is second, only to Luke Falk, in having the most wins of any quarterback in Washington State history. PULLMAN, Wash. Jason Gesser, the Cougar Athletic Fund assistant director resigned from Washington State University Tuesday amid multiple sexual misconduct allegations, including a formal. At one point, she said, Gesser put his hand around Bodeaus head and tried to force a kiss. He filled the open position left by his successor at Eastside Catholic, Jeremy Thielbar, a former Cougar teammate. And Matt Almond who explicitly told WSU investigators that he was told to "stay in my line" by Thompson no longer works at WSU IMG, which contracts with WSU to broadcast games, his wife confirms to the Inlander. Jason went undrafted out of WSU in 2002, but signed with Tennessee as a rookie free agent after the 2003 draft. The Evergreen made multiple attempts to reach Matt Almond, general manager at WSU IMG, for comment regarding the reason for Gessers departure, but he never returned calls or emails, other than one from a secretary asking what we wanted to speak about. For Bodeau, however, it doesn't end there. The former volleyball player said her experiene with Gesser has affected her feelings regarding WSU. ", If nothing develops, he said, "then I'll probably go into coaching because I want to be a college coach.". Since then, Wold said the entire situation has ruined her relationship with WSU and the Pullman area. She expected a media firestorm. She also said she had heard of these things happening before her employment at WSU. But she didn't expect the wave of women trusting her with their own stories. She had been asked by Kali Gesser, Jasons wife and part of the Cougar volleyball coaching staff at the time, and ended up taking care of their three kids three times a week, through which she met Jason. Wold and Peterson lived together for the rest of the year and Peterson said they havent spoken about it since the day it happened. I was excited because I wanted to hear about the family, she said. As Kali Surplus, she played setter on two WSU volleyball teams in 2000 and 01 that reached the NCAA tournament both years. If no one is willing to come forward, the investigation goes as far as it can.. I just said, No, she said. Bodeau shared her story on Monday, Sept. 17. Jason Gesser was really nice. It's Tuesday, a day after coming forward to say that former Washington State University quarterback Jason Gesser groped her and tried to kiss her against her will. If this is a money thing, that breaks my heart even more.. Generally speaking, yeah, the president of a university has the authority to do a lot of stuff, Schulz said. Idaho's head coach Robb Akey was the defensive line coach at WSU during Gesser's playing days for the Cougars. Of those who reported rumors to investigators, many have since left the university for reasons that are unclear. Jason Gesser's Biography He has a wife and three kids at home. He returned to work at WSU in 2013. She met with investigators from the WSU Office for Equal Opportunity in September after she decided to come forward with her story. I definitely felt like I had the opportunity to be heard and that my situation was being taken seriously, Bodeau said. Ganders told OEO investigators a donor had complained about Gesser inviting a female member of the media to the Cougar Legends golf event in 2016 at the Suncadia Golf Resort in Cle Elum, Washington, according to the records. Sept. 13, 2018 Updated Thu., Sept. 13, 2018 at 9:12 p.m.. Jason Gesser's income source is mostly from being a successful . He sent me flirty texts one time and I thought it was weird, the intern said, according to the records. Ganders also made note that both Gesser and the woman showed up late to the event, according to the records. Bodeau quickly issued a statement saying she was happy Gesser resigned from his position of power at WSU. Copyright 2023, The Spokesman-Review | Community Guidelines | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Copyright Policy, interaction with her following a fundraiser in Tumwater in 2015, Spokane Valley Fire roundup: Multiple engines, water tenders fight rural home blaze in Otis Orchards, Downtown Spokane stadium groundbreaking set for Tuesday , Pandemic project: Dental lab owner Robert Carnell paints pop art abstracts of celebrities , Gardening: Bird feeders safe to hang this winter after salmonella epidemic in 2020 , Pandemic projects: Retired Freeman High School teacher self-publishes Welsh mystery series , Man who spent 10 years in prison in 2012 murder back in jail on suspicion of attacking women, Spokane Valley Fire asking for fire tax renewal: 'We're more than just a fire department', Getting There: Emergency closure of crumbling Magnolia Street pedestrian bridge frustrates some, Washington Legislature weighs changes to police pursuit after law enforcement criticism. The Daily Evergreen released a 3,100 word report last Thursday outlining a number of allegations of sexual harassment. Phil Weiler, vice president of marketing and communications for WSU, said he would speak on behalf of Schulz for the story. |. They were suggestive of sexual things, she told investigators. In February 2012, Gesser was promoted to offensive coordinator of the Vandals, assisted on offense by another former WSU coach, Mike Levenseller, who was the receivers coach and passing game coordinator. A friend of Bodeau sent her a copy of the Evergreen story Saturday while she was attending the Spokane County Interstate Fair. I immediately recognized that Jason and [former player] knew each other, were classmates, Ganders told investigators. Another woman frustrated that institutions won't hold her abuser accountable. Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? During the 2006 off-season he was a quarterbacks coach at Federal Way High School in Federal Way, Washington. If its a money thing why WSU is keeping him around then shame on them, she said. But then she had the encounter with Gesser in 2015. Weiler said while it would be alright for the university to pay for the expenses of a person at an event for a business purpose, a line would be crossed if that person was there for personal reasons. Schulz knew of many claims about advances on student interns, donor event actions. Gesser would not respond to the Evergreens request for comment. WSU women beat No. PULLMAN, Wash. Jason Gesser, Washington State assistant athletics director and director of development/major gifts for the Cougar Athletic Fund, resigned from Washington State University on. WSU has determined that Gessers interaction with Bodeau violated university sexual harassment policy. Gesser, a late camp cut by the Tennessee . "It will be good to get back up in Washington," he said. That job eventually went to Offensive Coordinator Todd Sturdy. I truly never meant to cause you harm.. In his opinion, she was being flown up to be Jasons girl at the event. Brenna Peterson, one of Wolds former roommates, said Wold called her the next day and told her what happened with her and Gesser the night before. I chose to go there. Gesser coached the Crusaders for two seasons, then left in 2011 to become a graduate assistant at WSU in Pullman. Instead of playing professional volleyball while her husband played professional. OEO determined it didnt have enough evidence to conduct an investigation under Executive Policy 15, but referred the matter to Human Resource Services based on information from witnesses that may violate other WSU polices or raise concerns related to employee performance and professionalism. I decided to not contact them at all for fear of running into him or for fear that I did something wrong.. Ganders, a regional director for the CAF at the time, and Gesser attended the event. The university placed Gesser on home assignment followingan Office for Equal Opportunity complaint filed Monday morning by Wold, according to a joint statement from WSU President Kirk Schulz and Director of Athletics Pat Chun. Wold played volleyball for the Cougars from 2012-2013 before foregoing her senior season due to injuries. Ganders said in the interview the woman in question was supposed to be auctioned off as a caddy for donors the next day, but she never fulfilled her duties for the tournament. He only started two games, both victories, before spraining his ankle. Bodeau, 27, grew up in Spokane Valley, attended West Valley High School and played volleyball at Lewis-Clark State College before transferring to WSU in 2012. She leaves her last TV interview and scrolls through her Facebook messages hundreds of them. When I was informed in November about the student-athlete, I felt compelled to share with HR, he said in the records. Youre interested in them in a romantic way, so it would be on the basis of sex.. We typically pay for former student-athletes to attend those events.. He said he felt the need to bring up the concerns surrounding Gesser, despite the original purpose of the meeting being a discussion about IMG and WSUs relationship. Since Bodeau called for other women to come forward, WSU spokesman Phil Weiler says he is not aware of any new complaints of sexual misconduct against any other WSU employee. Farkas said in his interview with OEO that Ganders had told him the donor called and was irate because Jason dropped [the former player] off the following morning, according to the records. Kali. I am categorically opposed to harassment or sexism in the workplace or society, and I am deeply committed to my wife and children.. He said she relayed her encounter with Gesser. IAN SMAY and DYLAN GREENESeptember 13, 2018. The thing that I remember the most was her telling me about the hand over the mouth and him having her head, Bodeau said. [Gesser] ruined the school that I love and that I want to be an alumna in, she said. When Wold started nannying for the Gessers in 2013, she was still a student but no longer an athlete. And then he tried again with both hands and slid both hands up my dress and put them on my butt, and I kept pushing him away and telling him no and he kept saying its OK. . So it makes me sad that the school I love so much is making these decisions, Bodeau said about the conclusion of the original investigation. Essentially asking out your coworker, typically thats on the basis of their sex, she said. IAN SMAY and DYLAN GREENESeptember 17, 2018. Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. After the incident, she then drove him back to his hotel room, she said. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review). Aside from writing and editing investigative news stories, he enjoys hiking, watching basketball and spending time with his wife and cat. She said she ran out on the porch to talk to him. CougEd Hall Of Fame. We have estimated Dont wreck a family, she continued. Kali has landed a sales job with a pharmaceutical company. Wilson Criscione. It wasn't even her own pain she was feeling. During their ride, they both were silent, other than Gesser telling her it was OK because nothing happened between them, Wold said. She said Gesser offered to catch her up with how his family was doing and asked her to pick him up from his hotel. Gesser was signed by the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent in April 2003. When he finally pulled her onto the couch, she said the unwanted groping began. I curled up in the fetal position and cried myself to sleep, she said. Reading the article made me realize that I wasnt the last one, but I also wasnt the first one. Gesser declined to participate in the investigation; Mr. Moos did not respond to OEOs interview request.. However, Gesser later learned of Almond going to HR and confronted him. Bodeau married Steven Bodeau, 28, in 2017. Once inside, he continued to attempt to kiss her and pushed his hands under her dress. The couple said the incident has been something theyve had to work through during their marriage. I dont have any reservations about going to campus. Updated Thu., Dec. 20, 2018 at 9:34 p.m. Alyssa Bodeau, 27, of Spokane says Jason Gesser, a former WSU quarter back and Athletic Department employee, tried to force himself on her after a school fund-raising event in 2015. The story caught him off-guard, Bodeau said, and he didnt know how she was able to keep the shocking events of that night a secret. Her younger sister, Bailey Roberts, said she could tell Wold was torn up about what had happened. "It's started showing me there's a bigger picture to this," she says. The Evergreen has confirmed Wold coached for SMU in 2014 through the universitys website. "Oh my gosh, there's more there's another one.". After a deluge of Spokane women call out alleged rapists and sexual abusers on social media, what comes next? She said that final act made me want to vomit and I felt so disgusting.. "Awesome," he said. The allegations are outlined in interview notes and records from a complaint review carried out by WSUs Office for Equal Opportunity that began in January, which the Evergreen obtained through a public records request. Is WSU athletics paying for Jasons side pieces to travel with him to events? Farkas told investigators a donor asked him. His wife was my favorite person in the world, and his kids are my favorite people.. Not saying Jason Gesser should be WSU's head coach at this point in his life, but those numbers are phenomenal. Farkas also reported to the investigators that other CAF officials said Gesser and the woman had behaved inappropriately at the after-party, according to the records. The Vandals lost their final four games to finish 111 for the 2012 season. However, Peterson said that night still affects Wold. "How seriously are these allegations really being taken?"
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