(NewsNation) — Dozens of alumnae of Boston University’s women’s soccer team have released a letter in support of former coach Nancy Feldman, whom podcast host Alex Cooper has accused of sexual harassment.
Cooper, who hosts the popular podcast “Call Her Daddy,” accused Feldman of harassment in her two-part Hulu docuseries, “Call Her Alex.” The docuseries, which chronicles Cooper’s rise to stardom, premiered June 8 at the Tribeca Film Festival.
A total of 99 former BU players and assistant coaches have signed the letter, which was first reported by TMZ Sports. NBC News also obtained a copy of the document, which states that the authors aim “not to diminish or discredit anyone’s individual experience, but to speak as a united group of alumni about how our time in the program was different.”
Boston University alumnae shocked by Alex Cooper allegations
Stephanie Dreyer, a BU alum who played under Feldman in the early 2000s, told NBC Boston that she received a “flurry of text messages” from former teammates when the previews for “Call Her Alex” were first released. She said they were stunned by the allegations.
Dreyer is among the letter’s signatories, who were all part of the women’s soccer program from 1996 through 2022. Cooper played for BU from 2013 to 2015.
“During Coach Feldman’s time leading the program, we categorically never felt unsafe,” the letter states. “We were never at risk of or witness to inappropriate behavior or anything that could be characterized as sexual harassment. As a leader, she approached every day with professionalism, making decisions in service of the success of the team.”
The letter went on to say that Feldman is still an important part of the authors’ lives and that they “shall stand by her.”
“What’s being described by Alex sounds like consequences for behavior that is never allowed at the Division 1 level,” Dreyer told NBC Boston.
Alex Cooper claims Boston University soccer coach was ‘fixated’ on her
Cooper alleges that Feldman “fixated” on her during her sophomore year at the university. In the docuseries, she accused the former coach of questioning who she was dating, commenting on her body and going out of her way to be alone with her.
Cooper also claimed that Feldman once questioned her about a date and asked about her sex life.
The podcast host’s parents, Brian and Laurie Cooper, backed her allegations as well as claims that she reported Feldman’s behavior to BU officials. Cooper said nothing was done.
“There was no accountability, no investigation and no justice,” Cooper wrote on Instagram last week.
“Nancy Feldman was someone I trusted,” she wrote. “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.”
Former Boston University soccer coach hasn’t commented on allegations
Feldman, who retired in 2022 after 27 years at BU, has not commented on the allegations made by Cooper. Although BU officials have not commented on the letter of support, the university addressed the allegations last week.
“Boston University has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment,” the university’s statement read. “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.”