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. [Gesser] called me a cutie or something.. It's something to do with her hands so they don't shake during interviews. I dont have any reservations about going to campus. There was enough concern for me to bring to President [Schulz], Picciotto told investigators. Almond also said he was told to shut my mouth and stay in my lane, but did not make clear who said that, according to the records. Former WSU QB Jason Gesser is accused of sexual misconduct. Seton Catholic has named Kali Gesser wife of former Washington State quarterback Jason Gesser as its new head volleyball coach, athletic director Phil Kent announced Tuesday. 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. The department can reach out to those outside of WSU if there is reason to believe they have important information, Anderson said. He never wanted a full time job so he went towards the . However, Bodeau said she went on to tell him the whole story. View the profiles of professionals named "Jason Gesser" on LinkedIn. 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 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.. She went on to play at WSU, where she met Gesser's wife, a former volleyball player herself. The donor then called Ganders the next day and brought up the fact the former player had not returned until 4 a.m. the next morning, which the donor called weird, according to the records. Receive News Headlines Right in your Inbox! He had a full time job but all he ever looked for was something more. Efforts to reach Gesser on Thursday were unsuccessful. "They're coming to me with this, and most of them haven't told anyone yet. Bodeau spoke out after reading about other allegations against Gesser. Jason Gesser is an entrepreneur and the founder of Grit Consulting, a business consultancy that provides strategic tools to help support companies' organic growth. I pulled away. 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. It would have been easier to be quiet, she says. The original allegations were reported Thursday by the WSU student newspaper The Daily Evergreen. 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. He is the only player in Cougar history to be elected as captain three consecutive years. No ones been willing to come forward to make an official complaint, Weiler said. A former WSU volleyball player has come forward with new allegations of sexual misconduct against Jason Gesser, assistant director of athletics for the Cougar Athletic Fund. A story last week in the WSU student newspaper, The Daily Evergreen, uncovered a litany of allegations. 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. You have to have full commitment from the family as Leach did when he asked his wife if she would rather have him happy and poor, coaching, or miserable and money, law. Just minutes after he was informed that a second woman came forward with sexual misconduct allegations, Gesser resigned. Gesser starred for the Cougs from 1998-2002 and set the record for the most wins by a WSU quarterback. Feeling that kiss on my cheek mostly made me want to vomit.. In 2006 Gesser signed with the AFL's Utah Blaze. Jason Gesser - Medium However, Peterson said that night still affects Wold. Gesser, who was assistant athletic director at WSU, resigned last week in light of the multiple allegations of sexual misconduct. 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. My interactions with Jason and everyone in the Cougar Athletic Fund department were completely professional, she said. 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. PULLMAN, Wash. Jason Gesser, the Cougar Athletic Fund assistant director resigned from Washington State University Tuesday amid multiple sexual misconduct allegations, including a formal. Bodeau said she then blocked Gesser from her phone. At one point, she said, Gesser put his hand around Bodeaus head and tried to force a kiss. Schulz, who did not comment directly on the story, spoke with the Evergreen staff during a meeting on Sept. 7 and said he can step in during personnel matters. So far, she's messaged the women back, thanking them for sharing. She gazes toward her feet, shaking her head, quietly processing her answer. 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. 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. That is when it really affected me professionally.. As Kali Surplus, she played setter on two WSU volleyball teams in 2000 and 01 that reached the NCAA tournament both years. I worry about having a student athlete or interns in that position as well. 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. Jason Gesser resigns amid new sexual misconduct allegations [An intern] shared a concern with me, Almond said in the records. Almond's name was taken off the IMG website a week ago. 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. It was after that fundraiser when Gesser allegedly tried to force himself on her. I remember her being very distraught, very emotional and confused about what had just happened, Roberts said. Wold said she moved to the Olympia area following her time at WSU after receiving an offer for a volleyball coaching position at St. Martins University in Lacey, Washington. View the profiles of people named Jason Gesser. They then walked inside the house, where she said Gesser immediately restarted his attempts to kiss her. He just kept saying that over and over and I was so confused and terrified about the situation, Wold said. 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. She thinks of the college she loves. In 2007, he was offensive coordinator at Parkland's Franklin Pierce High School. According to the updated WSU report, he never sat down with investigators to give his side of the story. They were my life when I was in Pullman, she said. She thinks of the messages on her phone. She said she decided not to tell people about what happened because she didnt want to harm the Gesser family. 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.. WSU President Kirk Schulz and Director of Athletics Pat Chun responded to Bodeaus complaint Monday by announcing in a joint statement that a new allegation of sexual misconduct had been reported. In 2013, Gesser returned to Pullman after six years of professional football and several coaching stops, including a stint at the University of Idaho. After Bodeau graduated, Gesser, now 39, asked her to attend a fundraiser in Tumwater. Staff is frustrated, I am frustrated.. Get breaking news delivered to your inbox as it happens. He started kissing my hand. But they said, 'We feel we want to have a comfort level of someone who has played.' 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 ASWSU fees just one part of overall Service and Activity Fees at WSU, WSU stalls unionization for student employees, Dean of Students will leave WSU, embark on new adventure in China, President Schulz receives $125,000 pay raise for unprecedented financial leadership, Board of Regents justifies 2.4% tuition increase, WSU staff to receive salary increase next year, Campus cannabis policies ensure federal funding, financial aid, Survey released to gauge success of university work-life balance initiative, Anonymous donor gifts $1.5 million to WSU Accounting Department, Services and Activities Fee Committee votes to increase fee to $559, DYLAN GREENE, Evergreen deputy sports editor. Gesser sent his letter of resignation to WSU on Tuesday. At the time of the encounter, Gesser was a WSU employee who was helping raise money for the Cougar Athletic Fund. He has that opportunity and that challenge in front of him.". It was like he just disregarded it all.. He went on to also say a donor had complained and questioned the decision, according to the records. . Once inside, he continued to attempt to kiss her and pushed his hands under her dress. Ganders told investigators that CAF staff was tired of dealing with the issues surrounding Gesser. "It was hard," said Gesser, who was a Titans backup in 2003. In the summer of 2013, Wold said she began nannying for the Gessers and did so for about a year and a half. Bill Moos, my athletic director, was going to be there, she said. During their ride, they both were silent, other than Gesser telling her it was OK because nothing happened between them, Wold said. Although the finding is 2 months old, Bodeau was informed that the WSU investigation determined that Gesser had violated university policy in his interaction with her following a fundraiser in Tumwater in 2015. Sept. 17, 2018 The next morning, Wold said she called her sister to talk about what had happened with Gesser the night before. But I didnt know he was doing that to other girls.. Making the decision to speak out, she can't overemphasize, was "not the easy route." WSU investigating university official after sexual assault allegations She also told investigators Gesser had invited her to his hotel room via text late at night while on the road, which she declined. Officials ultimately cleared Gesser of any wrongdoing. The former volleyball player said her experiene with Gesser has affected her feelings regarding WSU. One possibility is that an NFL team would sign Gesser, then ship him off to play in Europe this spring. "I'm trying to think of how I can help support these girls to find their voice," she says. But what about them? Jason Gesser, pictured here at a Cougar Athletic Fund event in 2015, was the subject of an Office for Equal Opportunity inquiry in January 2018 regarding complaints of sexual misconduct. He filled the open position left by his successor at Eastside Catholic, Jeremy Thielbar, a former Cougar teammate. Streets said. Uri Farkas, a former athletics administrator who was heavily questioned by the OEO, said people were mad Gesser had seemingly escaped any recourse for his alleged indiscretions. Generally speaking, yeah, the president of a university has the authority to do a lot of stuff, he said. Gifts processed in this system are not tax deductible, but are predominately used to help meet the local financial requirements needed to receive national matching-grant funds. She also said they had both been drinking. His wife was my favorite person in the world, and his kids are my favorite people.. She walked-on as a transfer after being recruited by Head Coach Jen Greeny, she said. I can say confidently suggestive.. "He turned that program around like I knew he would," Gesser said of his former Cougars coach. He aggressively came into his office, accused me of ruining his life, his marriage and his kids lives.. Kali. Just a few blocks from her apartment, Bodeau said, Gesser placed his hand on her leg. He completed 89 of 145 passes for 1,092 yards, 23 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. "And these girls are just afraid to come forward.". He has to be stopped.. 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. Weiler also said he encourages anyone who has concerns or knows of actions that may cross a line to make a formal complaint. 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. I dont see anything inappropriate with that, Weiler said. 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. And I'm a stranger, and they're coming to me. As people began to leave the group for their hotel rooms, she said Gesser suggested they stay longer to catch up. Dont wreck a family, she continued. That includes Uri Farkas, director of the Cougar Athletic Fund, and Gil Picciotto, executive associate vice president for the WSU Foundation. Jason Gesser resigns from WSU following sexual misconduct allegations He finished the season completing 23 of 42 passes for 356 yards, four touchdowns and five interceptions. 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. He said that he was afraid that I would say something about everything., Concerns from donors and behavior at fundraisers. Gesser recruited the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii for Idaho. 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. CougEd Hall Of Fame. 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. 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, a late camp cut by the Tennessee . I called my sister and explained everything that had happened, I told her what went down and everything and I told her I didnt know what to do, she said. Young Seton Catholic plans to build on 1A state basketball loss, Fourth-quarter slump sinks Seton Catholic girls in 1A state opening-round loss, Seton Catholic boys win 1A state opening round, clinch berth for round of 12 in Yakima, State basketball matchups for SW Washington teams, Prep notes: Dennis Herling steps down as football coach at Seton Catholic, Seton Catholic prevails in rematch against La Center to reach 1A state regional. Bodeau shared her story on Monday, Sept. 17. 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. . The Evergreen filed a records request for the HRS review but has yet to receive them. I want to clearly state that the allegations are not true. He sent me flirty texts one time and I thought it was weird, the intern said, according to the records. The couple knew each other for three years prior to dating and Bodeau said he had never seen her in such a state. (None of those named above have responded to messages from the Inlander seeking comment.). "This was something that was my personal hurt that I would bury deep and take with me.". After only one victory in the first eight games, Akey was fired on October 21 and Gesser was promoted to interim head coach. Washington State says harassment probe of Jason Gesser found no violations One of the most diverse banks in the U.S. can be found on the Palouse, How new NIL rules for NCAA sports are finally letting Inland Northwest collegiate stars cash in, Artist Keiko Hara explores a sense of place, literally and figuratively, in a new WSU exhibit, A global manhunt, plus: the county whiffs on federal funding; and WSU students are left in the cold, ANALYSIS: Mayoral challenger Lisa Brown says Spokane is 'stuck in neutral.' 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. On May 5, 2005, Gesser was signed by the Calgary Stampeders. Im happy that shes taking the steps, Roberts said. 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. Is WSU athletics paying for Jasons side pieces to travel with him to events? Farkas told investigators a donor asked him. Weiler said the OEO review did not result in action against Gesser because of a lack of official complaints from those who voiced concerns over the allegations. 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. She played her junior season in 2012, but chose to sit out her senior year because of an injury. That kind of wrecked me right there. I truly never meant to cause you harm.. Discover today's celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday. Alyssa Bodeau, accuser of former WSU QB Jason Gesser - Inlander The woman confirmed she had her travels and accommodations paid for by WSU and that Gesser had invited her to the event. Athletic department officials said in their interviews with OEO that donors and coworkers had raised concerns over Gessers behavior at fundraisers and other CAF events. I definitely felt like I had the opportunity to be heard and that my situation was being taken seriously, Bodeau said. 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. I even told him because youre married and you have kids, kids that I love, she said. In June 2015, Bodeau said she received a text from Jason Gesser inviting her to attend a fundraiser in Tumwater. I was so confused and terrified in that moment, Wold said during an in-person interview at Neill Public Library on Monday. She definitely didnt want me to tell anyone else because she wasnt sure how she was going to deal with it.. 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. He texted me and asked to meet with me, Almond said in the records. . I pushed his hand away again and I said no and continued saying no, and I felt so overpowered and I felt so helpless. Ganders could not be reached for comment despite numerous attempts via phone by the Evergreen and Stevens said Greeny would also not comment on the matter. Massage therapist says Jason Gesser exposed himself to her "He's already a legendary guy here and he can be like Jason Gesser going through his high school career and never losing a game. The same woman in question also told investigators Gesser held a higher role than her in the department and had sent her suggestive texts, including during work hours. About the same time, she started caring for the Gessers children, she said, to help out Gessers wife, a former WSU volleyball player who remained active with the team. It's another thing entirely when women are sharing and trusting you with their story. Jason Gessers income source is mostly from being a successful . Records show numerous allegations of sexual misconduct against Jason Gesser If its a money thing why WSU is keeping him around then shame on them, she said. 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.
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