I don't know what." I remember her being very distraught, very emotional and confused about what had just happened, Roberts said. Those reports prompted Gesser's former nanny to go public Monday with what she described . Farkas then went on to speak with Almond about the issue and also told investigators he reported the concerns to WSU Title IX officials on Dec. 26, 2017. 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. Another woman with her own experience as a victim of sexual assault or harassment. 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. 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. Get breaking news delivered to your inbox as it happens. Discover Jason Gesser's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. He returned to work at WSU in 2013. 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. I worry about having a student athlete or interns in that position as well. "How many does it take for it to become an issue?" 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. 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. And having already received messages from dozens of women, she also issued a call to action: "If my story resonates with you, come forward. 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CougEd Hall Of Fame. "How seriously are these allegations really being taken?" Phil Weiler, vice president of marketing and communications for WSU, said he would speak on behalf of Schulz for the story. Gesser recruited the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii for Idaho. There was no funny business.. 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. I was excited because I wanted to hear about the family, she said. 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.. He is also minoring in criminal Dylan Greene is a journalism and media production major from Stanwood. Gesser led WSU to two straight 10 win seasons from 2001-2002, and finished seventh in the 2002 Heisman Trophy race. She thinks of the messages on her phone. He texted me and asked to meet with me, Almond said in the records. ", If nothing develops, he said, "then I'll probably go into coaching because I want to be a college coach.". Washington State says harassment probe of Jason Gesser found no violations However, she denied having romantic relations with Gesser at the event or otherwise. 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. At the time, I said, I wanted to let you know about our current HR issues, he told investigators. Jason Gesser: Ready for a move | The Seattle Times Discover today's celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday. Former WSU volleyball player claims Jason Gesser groped her, attempted 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. Dec 22, 2002 22,072 . Ganders said this situation made him realize Gessers actions had negatively impacted a donors relationship with WSU, according to the records. WSU places Jason Gesser on leave after former nanny files formal Almond's name was taken off the IMG website a week ago. "It was hard," said Gesser, who was a Titans backup in 2003. [Donor] called me and told me it was [bullsh-t] that she was invited, that it was a misuse of state funds, Ganders told investigators. 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. She said she again reminded Gesser of his family. Wold and Peterson lived together for the rest of the year and Peterson said they havent spoken about it since the day it happened. Gesser said he plans to continue pursuing his dream of playing professional football "for the next two to three years and see what happens. . Editors note: The Evergreen has decided against posting the public records online to protect the women involved whose names were not redacted. She may have even expected Gesser to resign due to pressure created by her allegations and others. Wold said he first put a hand on her leg during the drive, but removed it once she looked at him. Hes the one who messed up and she has to suffer for it. 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. But they said, 'We feel we want to have a comfort level of someone who has played.' I was so confused and terrified in that moment, Wold said during an in-person interview at Neill Public Library on Monday. I dont have any reservations about going to campus. 4 "Jason Gesser" profiles | LinkedIn When Wold started nannying for the Gessers in 2013, she was still a student but no longer an athlete. 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. 2,448. However, Gesser later learned of Almond going to HR and confronted him. Bodeau said she then blocked Gesser from her phone. During that year-and-a-half, Bodeau said she had frequent interactions with Jason Gesser, who had starred as WSUs quarterback from 1998-2002. After a six-year professional career and several coaching stops, including a stint at Idaho,. IAN SMAY and DYLAN GREENESeptember 13, 2018. 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. Wold said she then received a text message from Gesser about the night before. Bodeau quickly issued a statement saying she was happy Gesser resigned from his position of power at WSU. At one point, she said, Gesser put his hand around Bodeaus head and tried to force a kiss. Kali Gesser previously coached at Pullman, leading the Greyhounds to back-to-back 2A state appearances in 2017 and 18. He is second, only to Luke Falk, in having the most wins of any quarterback in Washington State history. Schulz knew of the concerns surrounding Gessers possible harassment and misconduct, Weiler said. If no one is willing to come forward, the investigation goes as far as it can.. 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. Are you talking about Gesser? the intern asked. For Bodeau, however, it doesn't end there. 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. Just a few blocks from her apartment, Bodeau said, Gesser placed his hand on her leg. I am categorically opposed to harassment or sexism in the workplace or society, and I am deeply committed to my wife and children.. He only started two games, both victories, before spraining his ankle. "And these girls are just afraid to come forward.". We typically pay for former student-athletes to attend those events.. I pushed his hand away again and I said no and continued saying no, and I felt so overpowered and I felt so helpless. Jason Gesser's Biography He has a wife and three kids at home. 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. She then went on to speak about text messages between them, according to the records. 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. Bodeau shared her story on Monday, Sept. 17. 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. The original print version of this article was headlined "Them, Too". She told me everything that happened, he said. WSU has determined that Gessers interaction with Bodeau violated university sexual harassment policy. 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. Her husband, Stephen Bodeau, has tried to support her. Im hoping it wont be a negative impact.. "He turned that program around like I knew he would," Gesser said of his former Cougars coach. 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. and I am deeply committed to my wife . [Gessers] reputation with WSU is tattered, regardless of what you find, Farkas said in the records. 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. Feeling that kiss on my cheek mostly made me want to vomit.. 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.. Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? Since then, Wold said the entire situation has ruined her relationship with WSU and the Pullman area. He spent the entire season with the team but did not see any playing time behind Steve McNair, Billy Volek, and Neil O'Donnell. Jason Gesser's income source is mostly from being a successful . Anderson said she could not comment on specific investigations. Gesser replaces Shawn McWashington, himself part of the iconic Fab Five receivers from the breakthrough 1997 Rose Bowl team. Is WSU athletics paying for Jasons side pieces to travel with him to events? Farkas told investigators a donor asked him. I purely want to help prevent this from happening to more girls, Wold said. 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. 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. When Gesser invited her to the CAF event, Wold said she was excited to attend and catch up with athletics staff, as she was very supportive of athletics as an alumna. The records also show Almond informing investigators that former female employee had told him about an intern claiming she had relations with Gesser. WSU investigation finds Jason Gesser violated sexual harassment policy I worry about situations like that, Ganders said in the records. Chances are you or someone you love has experienced what its like to be a caregiver while juggling lifes bills and responsibilities. He had a full time job but all he ever looked for was something more. I was very close with their oldest daughter, she still has my signs on her door.. 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. If there is not a business reason for the university to be paying for that persons expenses, thats against the law, Weiler said. I told [Almond] about it because hes my boss and I trusted him. Just minutes after he was informed that a second woman came forward with sexual misconduct allegations, Gesser resigned. Bodeau, 27, reads each one out loud, feeling the weight of each woman's experience. I didnt expect it. I couldnt see an article with his face in it without wanting to puke, she said. In June 2015, Bodeau said she received a text from Jason Gesser inviting her to attend a fundraiser in Tumwater. It might just take a little bit for me to feel comfortable. She never participated the next day to be that four caddy, Ganders told investigators. 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. 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. Dont wreck a family, she continued. The department can reach out to those outside of WSU if there is reason to believe they have important information, Anderson said. Jason went undrafted out of WSU in 2002, but signed with Tennessee as a rookie free agent after the 2003 draft. Jason Gesser Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Family Schulz knew of many claims about advances on student interns, donor event actions. He was originally hired at Idaho as running backs coach in June 2011. Wilson Criscione is the Inlanders news editor. Bodeau said she allowed Gesser into her apartment. Essentially asking out your coworker, typically thats on the basis of their sex, she said. Gesser resigned. Aside from writing and editing investigative news stories, he enjoys hiking, watching basketball and spending time with his wife and cat. One of the fall highlights for Gesser was going to a sports bar to watch the Cougars beat the Huskies, 28-25, in the Apple Cup, halting the streak of six consecutive Washington wins in the series.