They then walked inside the house, where she said Gesser immediately restarted his attempts to kiss her. One incident she outlined occurred when she and Gesser met with a CAF donor for dinner at Foundry Kitchen & Cocktails in Pullman over a year before her January interview. The guy is a master . However, this appears to contradict what occurred in the Gesser case, as others had named women not affiliated with WSU as being involved in the incidents, but those who were not a part of the university at any point do not appear to have been interviewed. Of those who reported rumors to investigators, many have since left the university for reasons that are unclear. He started as the football beat reporter in the fall of 2017 and midway through With 39 seconds left and WSU holding a 3-point lead, the Cougars put the ball into the hands of Charlisse Leger-Walker, their best player, perhaps the Luke Tylers parents believe fraternity hazing led to his death, CBD shown to be promising in reducing urge to smoke, Two big Spring Break trips featuring Murrow students; Evergreeners, Unsealed search warrants reveal new details about items found at Kohbergers PA home, Thousands of Pullman residents oppose proposal for biodiesel plant, Campus and community safety town hall to be held in Moscow tonight, RHA votes to approve 2% residence hall increase fee, Broken Promises: Aspen Heights awaited move-in canceled for many disappointed students, DYLAN GREENE, Evergreen deputy sports editor. PULLMAN, Wash. Jason Gesser, the Cougar Athletic Fund assistant director resigned from Washington State University Tuesday amid multiple sexual misconduct allegations, including a formal. Gesser, a late camp cut by the Tennessee Titans, was stunned when he was released. When something like that happens to you with someone that you trust, youre always going to feel uncomfortable.. They were suggestive of sexual things, she told investigators. 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. Making the decision to speak out, she can't overemphasize, was "not the easy route." (None were related to Gesser, she says.). Wold had gotten a new number and forgot to block his number on her new device, she said. In December 2018, WSU found that Gesser violated the school's policy against sexual harassment. I was excited because I wanted to hear about the family, she said. I continued to suppress it for three years total for fear of hurting their family, she said. The Honolulu native earned First Team All-America honors and finished his Cougar career as a three time All-Pac-10 selection, and a four-time Academic All-Pac-10 honoree. Gesser's agent, David Dunn, has told him that the holidays are a time when non-playoff teams often sign free agents for the upcoming season. However, Gesser later learned of Almond going to HR and confronted him. Join Facebook to connect with Jason Gesser and others you may know. Bring it to the light so that we all as a community can begin the healing process.". I was really disappointed that not anything had been done anywhere on campus, Farkas said, according to the records. I just said, No, she said. He is the only player in Cougar history to be elected as captain three consecutive years. . Im not sure why that would be a problem., OEO also interviewed a former athletics department employee who has since left WSU, who told investigators Gesser made comments and advances on her but noted she never felt harassed or assaulted.. He started the season as Henry Burris' backup, but took over the starting role when Burris tore a ligament in his left thumb. He started kissing my hand. Weiler said there is nothing inherently wrong with employees having students babysit as long as nothing inappropriate takes place. He was inducted into the Washington State University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016, and was also ranked 9th of the top 12 greatest Washington State University football players of All-Time by the Pac-12 Networks. Bodeau spoke out after reading about other allegations against Gesser. Her hand clenches the mug handle. There was a number of eyebrows raised, Farkas said in the records. Efforts to reach Gesser on Thursday were unsuccessful. Shortly after, she began to babysit for the family. The original print version of this article was headlined "Them, Too". "It's started showing me there's a bigger picture to this," she says. She kind of didnt want to believe what had just happened., That same day, Gesser texted Bodeau. Gesser had a position of authority over the intern in question, according to the records. She was an intern for Cougar athletics and [was] directly reporting to Jason, Farkas said in the notes. 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. . I dont remember exactly all the exchange, but there was an advancement to kiss me, which caught me off guard, nor did I lean in or encourage that, she said in the records. They are evaluating whether we renew [Gessers] agreement for the fall.. She said Gesser offered to catch her up with how his family was doing and asked her to pick him up from his hotel. So many thoughts. Gesser was on a year-by-year contract with IMG, according to records. The next morning, Wold said she called her sister to talk about what had happened with Gesser the night before. It was the other women's pain. He went on to also say a donor had complained and questioned the decision, according to the records. The donor complained to him that the woman had been invited up for Gessers personal reasons instead of the interests of the donors or WSU, Ganders said in the records. He was only 18 years old. Schulz knew of many claims about advances on student interns, donor event actions. "From men.". 3 quarterback. Once inside, he continued to attempt to kiss her and pushed his hands under her dress. A former football coach at the. 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. Once in the driveway, he made an attempt to kiss her which she said she refused. When asked if he could step in during personnel matters, Schulz answered yes. 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. Dec. 20, 2018 Gesser sent his letter of resignation to WSU on Tuesday. And that text made me feel like I couldnt say anything, so I decided to remove myself completely from the family. She said that final act made me want to vomit and I felt so disgusting.. His wife was my favorite person in the world, and his kids are my favorite people.. Gesser is the grandson of Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame member Joseph "Red" Dunn. Bodeau says she's received messages from women who are afraid of filing a complaint at WSU because of the way the university handled the Gesser allegations. However, Peterson said that night still affects Wold. A donor requested permission to bring a former WSU womens basketball player from California who was staying with them to the event, which Ganders said he approved, according to the records. I was very close with their oldest daughter, she still has my signs on her door.. Wilson Criscione is the Inlanders news editor. 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. I realized that a donor is now frustrated because of the actions of Jason Gesser, Ganders told investigators. Feeling that kiss on my cheek mostly made me want to vomit.. She walked-on as a transfer after being recruited by Head Coach Jen Greeny, she said. Gesser, who led the Cougars to the 2003 Rose Bowl and conference co-championship, is often referred to as a celebrity at donor events in an apparent attempt to draw more attendees, according to the records. Gesser recruited the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii for Idaho. In the records obtained by the Evergreen, multiple people interviewed by OEO said Schulz was either aware of or had been personally told of the allegations against Gesser. By the time she made it back home, she said everyone was asleep, giving her no one to speak with about what had happened. I immediately recognized that Jason and [former player] knew each other, were classmates, Ganders told investigators. Almond said he did not refer to Gesser by name in the meeting because they were in public and he had been informed that Schulz would know who he was talking about. 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. As part of her love of her school, Bodeau wants to enjoy the pageantry surrounding football games at Martin Stadium. Jason Gessers income source is mostly from being a successful . When she was received the text, she was at her now-husbands house in Spokane and said the two had only been dating for a couple of weeks at the time. I just tried to comfort her then and there.. After this, she said Gesser made aggressive attempts to pull her in for a kiss, which she was only able to block by putting her hand over her mouth. In his opinion, she was being flown up to be Jasons girl at the event. He only started two games, both victories, before spraining his ankle. Seeing how many other women this happens to has hit her the hardest. FINDING A VOICE. He just kept saying that over and over and I was so confused and terrified about the situation, Wold said. Almond said he spoke with Schulz, according to the records. As Kali Surplus, she played setter on two WSU volleyball teams in 2000 and 01 that reached the NCAA tournament both years. Instead of playing professional volleyball while her husband played professional. 3 Utah in biggest win in program history, Greyhounds win first game in Yakima; continue state tournament run, Baseball reaches second best start in Brian Green era, Cougar mens golf go toe to toe with the best, Cougars take their chances, win in first round of Pac-12 Tournament. At one point, she said, Gesser put his hand around Bodeaus head and tried to force a kiss. After the incident, she then drove him back to his hotel room, she said. Discover today's celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday. If no one is willing to come forward, the investigation goes as far as it can.. Wilson Criscione. Wold said he first put a hand on her leg during the drive, but removed it once she looked at him. I chose to go there. We typically pay for former student-athletes to attend those events.. Staff is frustrated, I am frustrated.. He filled the open position left by his successor at Eastside Catholic, Jeremy Thielbar, a former Cougar teammate. . He was previously the interim head coach, offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach, and recruiting coordinator for the Idaho Vandals of the WAC. Jason Gesser, the assistant director of athletics for the Cougar Athletic Fund, has resigned following new allegations of sexual misconduct by former WSU volleyball player Alyssa Wold. I pushed his hand away again and I said no and continued saying no, and I felt so overpowered and I felt so helpless. It made me avoid coming back here to games, one of my favorite things to do, because I didnt want to run into him, she said. After college, Gesser played professional football for six years and spent time on four separate coaching staffs, including serving as the interim head coach at the University of Idaho for six games, before returning to WSU in 2013. Hundreds of pages of public records show a number of allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct against Jason Gesser, assistant director of athletics at the Cougar Athletic Fund, dating back as far as 2014. 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. Those reports prompted Gesser's former nanny to go public Monday with what she described . For Bodeau, however, it doesn't end there. Another woman frustrated that institutions won't hold her abuser accountable. The university released a statement following that article stating that OEO completed an investigation into the allegations of Gesser and found no violation of WSU policy. Gesser coached the Crusaders for two seasons, then left in 2011 to become a graduate assistant at WSU in Pullman. But I am reserved to see how it will affect her. Is WSU athletics paying for Jasons side pieces to travel with him to events? Farkas told investigators a donor asked him. Paul Petrino was hired as head coach on December 3 and did not retain Gesser on the coaching staff for 2013. Discover Jason Gesser's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Chances are you or someone you love has experienced what its like to be a caregiver while juggling lifes bills and responsibilities. and I am deeply committed to my wife . Almond told investigators he met with Schulz. "I want to do something, but I don't know how. I received a text from Jason Gesser that next day, saying that we probably shouldnt tell [his] wife that we saw each other, Wold said. The intern said she knew the complaint focused on Gesser before the interviewers mentioned his name, according to the records. He was released after the 2004 preseason. [She said] the man she used to nanny for had tried to force himself on her.. I think our staff is pretty worn down with just dealing with all the rumors and continuing to try to go to bat for him, Ganders told investigators. By Samantha Wohlfeil and Nathan Weinbender, WSU finds former QB Jason Gesser violated sexual harassment policy, Seed banks around the world guard against the perils of industrialized farming and disasters. Wold said she had buried that night in her mind until a year later in 2016 whenshe said Gesser sent her a text message that made the emotions of that night flood back. He aggressively came into his office, accused me of ruining his life, his marriage and his kids lives.. Bodeau quickly issued a statement saying she was happy Gesser resigned from his position of power at WSU. She met with investigators from the WSU Office for Equal Opportunity in September after she decided to come forward with her story. "It was hard," said Gesser, who was a Titans backup in 2003. She also said OEO looks at instances of harassment, including social interactions that involve romantic propositions in the workplace. While Gesser provided the statement the day he resigned, he did not cooperate with the WSU investigation. He seemed very nice.. I absolutely felt powerless., He said, Everything is OK. That both confused and terrified me, she said. What about the institutions, the power structures that let this go on for so long in the first place? National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673. Alyssa Bodeau, who went by Alyssa Wold during her time at WSU but has since married, told The Daily Evergreen she suffered unwanted and nonconsensual groping and forceful attempts at kissing from Gesser after the two of them attended a Cougar Athletic Fund event in Tumwater, Washington, in 2015. In the following years since that night, Wold said she struggles when she sees images or articles about Gesser. "Because they may not have felt like they had the support to speak their story.". Schulz, who would not speak directly to the Evergreen about the story, met with our staff on Sept. 7 as part of a new series of monthly meetings. She knows if she had to do it all over, she would definitely share her story publicly again. Nothing he was doing was OK., Bodeau said she drove Gesser back to his hotel and just before getting out of the car, he leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. Gesser and his wife, former WSU volleyball player Kali Surplus, and their 17-month-old daughter, Jordyn, have stayed in Tennessee but a move to the Tacoma area is planned for mid-January. When I saw that it was a pattern, thats when I decided, Im not going to stay quiet. If it doesnt stop now other girls will be in danger.. Facebook gives people the power to. "It was good to reverse the curse. In 2006 Gesser signed with the AFL's Utah Blaze. Bodeau grew up a volleyball star at West Valley High School in Spokane Valley. Officials ultimately cleared Gesser of any wrongdoing. Idaho's head coach Robb Akey was the defensive line coach at WSU during Gesser's playing days for the Cougars. Gesser did not participate in the investigation. She told me everything that happened, he said. Editors note: The Evergreen has decided against posting the public records online to protect the women involved whose names were not redacted. Never once did I feel unsafe or have anything at all that would have given me a flag of caution from the way that he acted, Wold said. When asked for her thoughts about this, Bodeau struggles to find the words. There are 4 professionals named "Jason Gesser", who use LinkedIn to exchange information, ideas, and opportunities. At least one intern spoke with OEO investigators about her time at WSU, but it was unclear if it was the same intern who allegedly had a sexual encounter with Gesser. 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. Allegations outlined in the public records include: The Evergreen reached out to Gesser multiple times through various means, including email and numerous phone calls to his office and cell phone, but he did not respond to our attempts. I wanted their kids to be in our wedding, I couldnt even invite them to our wedding.. When she read those allegations in the newspaper two weeks ago, she realized she was not alone. So far, she's messaged the women back, thanking them for sharing. Sept. 17, 2018 He said, We probably shouldnt tell my wife that I saw you. That sent me into a whirlwind because I didnt know what to think. I had no idea how to feel, I felt like it was my fault, he had made me feel like it was my fault. I didnt want to hurt the kids, I didnt want to hurt the wife because I was carrying around the belief that this was my fault, and I thought I was the only one this was happening to, and I thought if I remove myself from the situation it will all go away., Bodeau, her boyfriend at the time, said he was on the porch while Wold did homework in his room when she came out to talk and looked distraught.. It was purely one-sided.. Bodeau grew up in Spokane Valley, attended West Valley High School and played volleyball at Lewis-Clark State College before transferring to WSU in 2012. He . He was told by somebody that I shared it. Alyssa Wold-Bodeau, a former WSU volleyball player, told The Daily Evergreen on Monday that Gesser groped her and tried forcefully to kiss her after the two attended a fundraising event in 2015.. ". [Coworker] indicated that Jason had a sexual relationship with [intern], a student-athlete and Jasons intern, Farkas said, according to the notes. 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. As a professional, Gesser played for the Utah Blaze of the Arena Football League, the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League, and the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League. 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. The department can reach out to those outside of WSU if there is reason to believe they have important information, Anderson said. They were my life when I was in Pullman, she said. Updated Tue., Sept. 18, 2018 at 8:06 a.m. Thursday by the WSU student newspaper The Daily Evergreen, WSUs Gesser denies accusations of sexual misconduct, calls report a non-story, WSU responds to report alleging inappropriate sexual conduct by former football quarterback Jason Gesser, 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 , 49 Degrees North adds all-day uphill skiing route, 'I'm hungry': Ex-Washington State RB Max Borghi grateful for XFL opportunity, hopeful for another shot at NFL, Pennsylvania friends, neighbors recall Moscow homicide suspect Bryan Kohberger's past, Community turns out for heated meeting in wake of North Idaho College accreditation threat. He succeeded Bill Marsh, who had resigned after ten seasons with the school. His wife is Kali Surplus Jason Gesser Net Worth His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. Essentially asking out your coworker, typically thats on the basis of their sex, she said. And I'm a stranger, and they're coming to me. Gesser said he plans to continue pursuing his dream of playing professional football "for the next two to three years and see what happens. After Bodeau graduated, Gesser, now 39, asked her to attend a fundraiser in Tumwater. [Gessers] reputation with WSU is tattered, regardless of what you find, Farkas said in the records. One possibility is that an NFL team would sign Gesser, then ship him off to play in Europe this spring. The original allegations were reported Thursday by the WSU student newspaper The Daily Evergreen. It is unclear if it is the same donor that complained to Ganders. she asks. Updated Tue., Sept. 18, 2018 at 8:06 a.m. Former WSU QB Jason Gesser (Dan Pelle / The Spokesman-Review). Gesser returned to the Palouse in May 2011, then crossed the state border in June and joined the staff at Idaho as running backs coach in neighboring Moscow. I was told that Schulz had already been made aware of discretions about Jason Gesser by his cabinet prior to our meeting. 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. I repressed it so hard. Get breaking news delivered to your inbox as it happens. 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.. Ganders told investigators that CAF staff was tired of dealing with the issues surrounding Gesser. Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? Gesser is a former WSU quarterback who led the Cougars to the 2003 Rose Bowl, before embarking on a professional playing and college coaching career. Gesser, who led the Cougars to the 2003 Rose Bowl and conference co-championship, is often referred to as a "celebrity" at donor events in an apparent attempt to draw more attendees, according to the records. 2,448. There was enough concern for me to bring to President [Schulz], Picciotto told investigators. It's something to do with her hands so they don't shake during interviews. We have estimated The Evergreen talked to two people close to Wold who said they received a phone call from her the morning after the incident occurred. I still think its affecting her now, Peterson said. I would imagine it was the start of the investigation, Weiler said of when Schulz was informed of the situation. There was no funny business.. Aside from writing and editing investigative news stories, he enjoys hiking, watching basketball and spending time with his wife and cat. She said she felt the need to speak out now to prevent what happened to her from happening to others. The OEO investigates these claims for policy violations other than EP 15 if they feel the need to, as it still could be considered harassment of a protected class, she said. In his resignation letter, Gesser apologized to WSU President Kirk Schulz, Bill Moos, former athletic director, and Pat Chun, the current athletic director, for his private life creating a distraction for WSU. I couldnt see an article with his face in it without wanting to puke, she said. Gesser would not respond to the Evergreens request for comment. Washington State University placed Jason Gesser, a former quarterback and current athletic department employee, on administrative leave Monday after a former Cougar athlete alleged Gesser. ", If nothing develops, he said, "then I'll probably go into coaching because I want to be a college coach.". [Gesser] ruined the school that I love and that I want to be an alumna in, she said. She also said hearing Wold tell her the story made her angry, as she felt she hadnt been able to protect Wold since she was out of town that night. When we got back to the hotel he put his hand on my leg again, and said this is OK, were OK, nothing happened. It made me feel so awful and so disgusting and like I had done something wrong., Before exiting her car, Wold said Gesser kissed her on the cheek, which she didnt see coming. 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. And having already received messages from dozens of women, she also issued a call to action: "If my story resonates with you, come forward. Almond also backed up this claim in his interview with OEO, according to the records. This is new information and a different set of events than previously reported, said Kimberly Anderson, executive director of the Office for Equal Opportunity. I just referred to it as an HR issue, Almond said in the records. Ganders said he noticed Gesser and the former player knew each other. ". "How seriously are these allegations really being taken?" At the time of the encounter, Gesser was a WSU employee who was helping raise money for the Cougar Athletic Fund. Before he went to HR, Almond said he went to Gesser personally as a friend and neighbor to inform Gesser of what he had heard, according to the records. The woman confirmed she had her travels and accommodations paid for by WSU and that Gesser had invited her to the event. After the event, Ganders said in the records, a group of people including Gesser and the former player went out for drinks, after which the former player elected to get a ride home from Gesser. Nonconsensual groping, unwanted attempts to kiss. WSU has. 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. You know when you aren't playing good. However, she denied having romantic relations with Gesser at the event or otherwise. She expected internet commenters to attack her character, for friends and family to defend it. Her younger sister, Bailey Roberts, said she could tell Wold was torn up about what had happened. "How many does it take for it to become an issue?" During an interview with KREM 2, she said she grew close to the Gesser family and met Gesser's wife through WSU volleyball. Dont wreck a family, she continued. She said she decided not to tell people about what happened because she didnt want to harm the Gesser family. But, Im excited for that day., According to the findings provided by Bodeau, WSU investigators ruled that Gessers actions met the definition of sexual harassment and non-consensual sexual contact that impacted the Complainant emotionally, created a lack of personal security for her, and created a hostile and offensive environment.. Washington State University placed Jason Gesser, a former quarterback and current athletic department employee, on administrative leave Monday after a former Cougar athlete alleged Gesser tried to force himself on her after a fundraising event in 2015. "Seeing how previous allegations were handled sparked fear in them to stay quiet," Bodeau says. I am categorically opposed to harassment or sexism in the workplace or society, and I am deeply committed to my wife and children.. The only thing I could do is support her and tell her, You are the victim here.. She did convey that the flirty text message occurred when she was a student and interning with [IMG].. That kind of wrecked me right there.