I don't know what." I had to cover my mouth with my hand and he kept pulling me in so close and was kissing my hand that was over my mouth, and he kept pulling me closer.. 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. ". I told [Almond] about it because hes my boss and I trusted 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. What about the institutions, the power structures that let this go on for so long in the first place? Gesser did not participate in the investigation. Jason Gesser was really nice. It's another thing entirely when women are sharing and trusting you with their story. Gil Picciotto, who served as executive associate vice president for the WSU Foundation for 11 years before leaving to become the current president of Eastside Catholic School in Sammamish, said he went to Schulz with concerns. Her husband said she originally didnt want to tell him the details, telling him she had received an unwanted text message. Editors note: The Evergreen has decided against posting the public records online to protect the women involved whose names were not redacted. Gesser replaces Shawn McWashington, himself part of the iconic Fab Five receivers from the breakthrough 1997 Rose Bowl team. Her younger sister, Bailey Roberts, said she could tell Wold was torn up about what had happened. Essentially asking out your coworker, typically thats on the basis of their sex, she said. 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. But they said, 'We feel we want to have a comfort level of someone who has played.' Shortly after, she began to babysit for the family. Alyssa Bodeau's phone won't stop buzzing. The original allegations were reported Thursday by the WSU student newspaper The Daily Evergreen. But I am reserved to see how it will affect her. Bodeau, who says she was never called as part of WSU's original Gesser investigation, questions whether WSU truly wanted to find out the truth, or if investigators instead were going through the motions in an effort to clear Gesser. I knew if I was honest with her that I could hurt the family., A year later she received a message from Gesser saying Dont be a stranger.. I dont have any reservations about going to campus. 3 quarterback. He played quarterback for Washington State Cougars of the Pac-10 under head coach Mike Price, and played in the 2003 Rose Bowl. I immediately recognized that Jason and [former player] knew each other, were classmates, Ganders told investigators. The earliest OEO interview notes obtained as part of the records request are dated in early January. Gesser, a late camp cut by the Tennessee Titans, was stunned when he was released. Youre interested in them in a romantic way, so it would be on the basis of sex.. The Daily Evergreen released a 3,100 word report last Thursday outlining a number of allegations of sexual harassment. Another woman frustrated that institutions won't hold her abuser accountable. WSU has. "They're coming to me with this, and most of them haven't told anyone yet. 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. 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. Ian Smay is a senior journalism & media production major, with an emphasis in broadcast news, from Dayton, Washington. I didnt expect it. Kali. News > Spokane WSU responds to report alleging inappropriate sexual conduct by former football quarterback Jason Gesser. I knew it was more of a trend than it wasnt, she told investigators. 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. Gesser answered the Evergreens call, but hung up before we could identify ourselves or ask any questions. View the profiles of people named Jason Gesser. Join Facebook to connect with Jason Gesser and others you may know. "He turned that program around like I knew he would," Gesser said of his former Cougars coach. He was only 18 years old. And that text made me feel like I couldnt say anything, so I decided to remove myself completely from the family. I will not allow my name to be unfairly smeared, and I will continue to passionately serve our University as a proud member of Cougar Nation, Gesser wrote in his statement. They were my life when I was in Pullman, she said. She also said she had heard of these things happening before her employment at WSU. 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. Bodeau spoke out after reading about other allegations against Gesser. Are you talking about Gesser? the intern asked. Her husband, Stephen Bodeau, has tried to support her. I wanted to protect (Gessers wife), Bodeau said. He succeeded Bill Marsh, who had resigned after ten seasons with the school. OEO Executive Director Kimberly Anderson confirmed that an investigation only happens if a person wants actions to be taken or if the acts in question are egregious enough to warrant further potential discipline. So, how much is Jason Gesser worth at the age of 43 years old? Woman told the Evergreen Gesser slid hands up her dress, made aggressive attempts to kiss her. Almond's name was taken off the IMG website a week ago. I had no idea how to feel, I felt like it was my fault, he had made me feel like it was my fault. Nonconsensual groping, unwanted attempts to kiss. She also told investigators Gesser had invited her to his hotel room via text late at night while on the road, which she declined. But I dont, because I dont want to run into him, I dont want to hear his voice and I dont want to hear his name, she said. He was previously the interim head coach, offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach, and recruiting coordinator for the Idaho Vandals of the WAC. I thought I was the only one that this happened to. 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. 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. 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. After a six-year professional career and several coaching stops, including a stint at Idaho,. Phil Weiler, vice president of marketing and communications for WSU, said he would speak on behalf of Schulz for the story. In 2013, Gesser returned to Pullman after six years of professional football and several coaching stops, including a stint at the University of Idaho. I was honestly at a standstill at the fair for 15 minutes staring at it, Bodeau said. It would have been easier to be quiet, she says. Another woman with her own experience as a victim of sexual assault or harassment. Gesser, who was assistant athletic director at WSU, resigned last week in light of the multiple allegations of sexual misconduct. It might just take a little bit for me to feel comfortable. What I had been telling myself for three years was, Just be silent. Wold played volleyball for the Cougars from 2012-2013 before foregoing her senior season due to injuries. she asks. After the incident, she then drove him back to his hotel room, she said. The thing that I remember the most was her telling me about the hand over the mouth and him having her head, Bodeau said. 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. Wold said he first put a hand on her leg during the drive, but removed it once she looked at him. However, Bodeau said she went on to tell him the whole story. "I thought I'd take this to my grave," she says. He filled the open position left by his successor at Eastside Catholic, Jeremy Thielbar, a former Cougar teammate. 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. FINDING A VOICE. Streets said. By She then went on to speak about text messages between them, according to the records. He slid his hand up my dress and placed it on my butt, she said. "There's more," she whispers to her husband. She told me she felt guilty, Steven Bodeau said. That kind of wrecked me right there. 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. I pushed his hand away again and I said no and continued saying no, and I felt so overpowered and I felt so helpless. Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? I want to clearly state that the allegations are not true. One person interviewed by OEO said they knew of one student babysitting for Gesser at the time of his interview this January, a trend which has been going on for years. In his statement issued Friday about the earlier misconduct investigation and subsequent news coverage, Gesser wrote: The only thing I care about more deeply than WSU is my family and integrity. At least one woman was a student at the time of an alleged sexual encounter, according to the records. National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673. Investigators also attempted to interview (Gesser) and (former Athletic Director) Mr. William Bill Moos, who was present at the CAF event in 2015, investigators wrote. Weiler said there is nothing inherently wrong with employees having students babysit as long as nothing inappropriate takes place. She kind of didnt want to believe what had just happened., That same day, Gesser texted Bodeau. The only thing I could do is support her and tell her, You are the victim here.. 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I am categorically opposed to harassment or sexism in the workplace or society, and I am deeply committed to my wife and children.. Farkas also told investigators the department held some concerns over Gessers decision to invite the woman to the event. Roberts, Bodeaus younger sister, said shes glad Bodeau is finally talking about the encounter. The Evergreen filed a records request for the HRS review but has yet to receive them. 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. And the fallout of that investigation doesn't sit well with Bodeau. Chances are you or someone you love has experienced what its like to be a caregiver while juggling lifes bills and responsibilities. Bodeau went home after dropping Gesser off at his hotel. CougEd Hall Of Fame. 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. The Evergreen has confirmed Wold coached for SMU in 2014 through the universitys website. 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. She thinks of the college she loves. [Gessers] reputation with WSU is tattered, regardless of what you find, Farkas said in the records. 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. She leaves her last TV interview and scrolls through her Facebook messages hundreds of them. 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. A WSU employee, who the Inlander is not naming and who reported that Gesser tried to kiss her, has also since left WSU. Instead of playing professional volleyball while her husband played professional. Updated Tue., Sept. 18, 2018 at 8:06 a.m. Former WSU QB Jason Gesser (Dan Pelle / The Spokesman-Review). In 2006 Gesser signed with the AFL's Utah Blaze. When she read those allegations in the newspaper two weeks ago, she realized she was not alone. Jason Gesser's net worth Staff is frustrated, I am frustrated.. Facebook gives people the power to. 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. In 2013, Gesser returned to Pullman after six years of professional football and several coaching stops, including a stint at the University of Idaho. Whitman County Massage therapist says Jason Gesser exposed himself to her Streets was a massage therapist about three years ago in Moscow, Idaho, and Gesser was one of her clients. "How seriously are these allegations really being taken?" Besides those closest to her, Alyssa Bodeau, ne Wold, says she never thought she'd tell anyone about the night she says Gesser groped her and forcibly kissed her. IAN SMAY and DYLAN GREENESeptember 13, 2018. I definitely felt more support just from those results, Bodeau said of the investigation. What if they don't have the same kind of support system? I pulled away. 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.. His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. I worry about having a student athlete or interns in that position as well. 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.. Ganders told investigators that CAF staff was tired of dealing with the issues surrounding Gesser. "There were just so many girls with their own stories across the nation, and I just felt it, and it was so heavy," she says. Gesser recruited the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii for Idaho. Wold said she has wondered why Gesser is still employed at WSU, and said she was disappointed he was still working for the university. "It was good to reverse the curse. 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. I wanted their kids to be in our wedding, I couldnt even invite them to our wedding.. Bodeau quickly issued a statement saying she was happy Gesser resigned from his position of power at WSU. He was released after the 2004 preseason. He is from United States. 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. Gesser said he still keeps in touch with coach Mike Price and his two assistant-coach sons, Eric and Aaron, who have had a remarkable 8-3 season at Texas-El Paso. She thought turning off her phone and unplugging for an entire day would make things feel back to normal, but that only made it harder, she says. 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.. Jason John Gesser (born May 31, 1979) is an American college football former coach, former player, and former assistant athletic director at Washington State University. He . 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. As part of her love of her school, Bodeau wants to enjoy the pageantry surrounding football games at Martin Stadium. He sent me flirty texts one time and I thought it was weird, the intern said, according to the records. He was the backup at the beginning of the season before replacing the injured Joe Germaine. The Vandals lost their final four games to finish 111 for the 2012 season. Wold said she then received a text message from Gesser about the night before. 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. Weiler said Schulz would trust his senior managers and supervisors to make a decision on employee discipline in their department if there was a concern about a particular individual and that he would not want to override anyones decision. That includes Uri Farkas, director of the Cougar Athletic Fund, and Gil Picciotto, executive associate vice president for the WSU Foundation. 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. Multiple people interviewed by the OEO said they were either aware of or had personally informed President Kirk Schulz of the concerns surrounding Gesser. 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. So far, she's messaged the women back, thanking them for sharing. 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. "Seeing how previous allegations were handled sparked fear in them to stay quiet," Bodeau says. Farkas told investigators this was the red flag that made all the yellows fall into place, according to the records. When something like that happens to you with someone that you trust, youre always going to feel uncomfortable.. 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. 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. There was no funny business.. 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. Paul Petrino was hired as head coach on December 3 and did not retain Gesser on the coaching staff for 2013. Receive News Headlines Right in your Inbox! If there is not a business reason for the university to be paying for that persons expenses, thats against the law, Weiler said. 290. She also said they had both been drinking. She expected a media. During his career, he appeared in 40 games, made 35 starts, led the Pac-10 in passing yards as junior, was the first Cougar to throw for 3,000 yards twice and led WSU to a 2001 Sun Bowl victory and to the 2003 Rose Bowl. They were suggestive of sexual things, she told investigators. 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. I know hes pretty close with the volleyball program and has a friendship with [head] coach [Jen] Greeny and I wonder what that looks like being at their home alone, no supervision.. Wold was a student at the Spokane Community College, taking prerequisite classes as she had been accepted to the WSU-Spokane nutrition program, she said. Bodeau won't be satisfied until the dozens of women who messaged her are comfortable sharing their experiences with institutions like WSU. In 2007, he was offensive coordinator at Parkland's Franklin Pierce High School. He is also minoring in criminal Dylan Greene is a journalism and media production major from Stanwood. Jason Gesser has resigned as assistant AD at Washington State following new allegations of sexual misconduct against him by a former WSU volleyball player. But thinking it was an isolated incident, Bodeau did not take her concerns any further. No ones been willing to come forward to make an official complaint, Weiler said. If Gesser or another university official engages in sexual activity with a student, it would present a problem for WSU, Weiler said. 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. 2,448. She may have even expected Gesser to resign due to pressure created by her allegations and others. 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. After the event ended, she said she and Gesser went with a group of people, including then-Director of Athletics Bill Moos, to a local bar for drinks and to catch up. It was the other women's pain. I had no idea what was going on. , money, salary, income, and assets. Gesser was hired as the quarterbacks coach at Wyoming in February 2013, under fourth-year head coach Dave Christensen. 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. But the waves of support and a new university finding has convinced her that she made the correct call to put her name behind her pain. "It was hard," said Gesser, who was a Titans backup in 2003. I dont see anything inappropriate with that, Weiler said. Dec. 20, 2018 Gesser played college football at Washington State University in Pullman. He started kissing my hand. He finished the season completing 23 of 42 passes for 356 yards, four touchdowns and five interceptions. She went on to describe how he kept attempting to kiss her after she repeatedly said no. Twenty seconds pass. She definitely didnt want me to tell anyone else because she wasnt sure how she was going to deal with it.. Anderson said she could not comment on specific investigations. It was purely one-sided.. 3 Utah in biggest win in program history, Luke Tylers parents believe fraternity hazing led to his death, Greyhounds win first game in Yakima; continue state tournament run, CBD shown to be promising in reducing urge to smoke, Two big Spring Break trips featuring Murrow students; Evergreeners, 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. The records also show Almond informing investigators that former female employee had told him about an intern claiming she had relations with Gesser. 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. Up and coming bull rider, Blake Thueson has #diedsuddenly Competing in the 2022 World Finals in Nevada, he started to feel extremely ill and passed away suddenly- shocking his family and the bull riding community. The intern said she knew the complaint focused on Gesser before the interviewers mentioned his name, according to the records. The original print version of this article was headlined "Them, Too". During that year-and-a-half, Bodeau said she had frequent interactions with Jason Gesser, who had starred as WSUs quarterback from 1998-2002. 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. I am thrilled to join the Seton Catholic family, Gesser said in a press release. And then there's the bigger picture. But the overwhelming support of those close to her has helped heal properly, she says. Employees within the athletics department informed investigators they knew of alleged sexual harassment and misconduct, including some involving student interns, according to OEO interview notes. As Kali Surplus, she played setter on two WSU volleyball teams in 2000 and 01 that reached the NCAA tournament both years. Idaho's head coach Robb Akey was the defensive line coach at WSU during Gesser's playing days for the Cougars. But then she had the encounter with Gesser in 2015. 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. I was told he would know what I was referring to.. It's something to do with her hands so they don't shake during interviews. Jason Gesser is an entrepreneur and the founder of Grit Consulting, a business consultancy that provides strategic tools to help support companies' organic growth. [Coworker] indicated that Jason had a sexual relationship with [intern], a student-athlete and Jasons intern, Farkas said, according to the notes. After only one victory in the first eight games, Akey was fired on October 21 and Gesser was promoted to interim head coach. "I'm trying to think of how I can help support these girls to find their voice," she says. (None of those named above have responded to messages from the Inlander seeking comment.). Frontier Behavioral Health's 24-hour First Call for Help line: 838-4428 or toll free at 1-877-678-4428. 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. Another alleged incident came in 2014 after a donor event in Pasco, Washington. Farkas said in his interview with OEO that Schulz received information about the situation on Dec. 1, 2017, according to the records. When a lifelong heart condition became worse, Donny Jones, who lives near Seattle, knew by last June that hed be heading to Spokane. When other girls came forward, it changed the game, said Bodeau, whose maiden name is Wold. Sept. 17, 2018 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. She then picked him up to give him a ride which she said is when the advances began. The guy is a master . View the profiles of professionals named "Jason Gesser" on LinkedIn. Nothing in that year-and-a-half led me to believe that I could not trust him, Bodeau said. Of those who reported rumors to investigators, many have since left the university for reasons that are unclear.