The sports world has been rocked by serious allegations from podcast host Alex Cooper against her former Boston University women’s soccer coach Nancy Feldman. In a new Hulu documentary titled ‘Call Her Alex,’ Cooper details claims of sexual harassment that allegedly occurred during her time as a student-athlete at BU between 2013 and 2015. These accusations have sparked significant debate about athlete protection, institutional responsibility, and the handling of harassment claims in collegiate athletics.
The allegations are particularly noteworthy given Feldman’s 27-year tenure at Boston University, where she built a respected program before retiring in 2022. As of June 10, 2025, neither Feldman nor Boston University has issued formal statements addressing Cooper’s claims, raising questions about institutional accountability in such cases.
Alex Cooper’s accusations against Nancy Feldman: A detailed investigative report
Specific allegations and timeline
According to Cooper’s documentary account, the alleged harassment began during her sophomore year (around 2013) and continued until 2015. The specific allegations include unwanted comments about Cooper’s body, intrusive questions about her personal life, and implied conditioning of playing time on Cooper sharing details about her private life. Cooper claims Feldman “always wanted to be alone with me” and would make comments focused on specific parts of her body rather than her athletic performance.
Cooper further alleges that when she attempted to distance herself from these interactions, she faced retaliation in the form of reduced playing time, including during critical NCAA tournament matches. This pattern of alleged behavior raises serious concerns related to Title IX policies governing educational institutions, which explicitly prohibit such conduct.
Individuals involved
The key figures in this situation include Alex Cooper herself, who has built a successful career as host of the “Call Her Daddy” podcast since her time at BU. Nancy Feldman, who coached at BU from 1995 until her retirement in 2022, led the program to 13 conference tournament trophies and 14 national tournament appearances during her tenure.
Cooper’s former teammate Alex Schlobohm has corroborated aspects of Cooper’s account, specifically recalling a team film session where Feldman allegedly made inappropriate comments about Cooper’s appearance rather than her performance. This adds a significant supporting voice to Cooper’s allegations, though the full extent of witness testimony remains limited in public reporting.
Cooper’s parents, Laurie and Bryan Cooper, also feature prominently in the documentary. They state that they consulted a lawyer who characterized the situation as sexual harassment but ultimately opted to meet with BU’s athletic administration rather than pursue legal action. This approach mirrors many similar allegations within university sports programs, where victims often seek institutional remedies before public disclosure.
Institutional response and context
Boston University’s response—or lack thereof—has become a central aspect of this developing story. Cooper alleges that when she and her parents brought their concerns to Drew Marrochello, BU’s athletic director, they were dismissed without proper investigation. This claim raises serious questions about the university’s implementation of Title IX procedures and internal protocols for addressing harassment allegations.
BU’s current policies emphasize a commitment to maintaining an environment free of discrimination and harassment through prevention efforts and enforcement of nondiscrimination policies. However, the alleged incidents occurred prior to the university’s August 2024 update to its Equal Opportunity and Title IX Policy.
The handling of these allegations may potentially influence broader policy changes in women’s soccer and collegiate athletics more generally, as institutions reassess their responsibilities toward athlete welfare and safety.
Media coverage and public discourse
Media coverage has largely focused on Cooper’s allegations as presented in her documentary, with outlets including NBC Boston, The Hollywood Reporter, CBS News, The New York Times, and ABC News covering the story. An unfortunate error occurred when New York Magazine mistakenly identified U.S. Representative Nancy Mace as Nancy Feldman, resulting in threatened legal action and highlighting the sensitivity surrounding such allegations.
Public reaction has been mixed, with many expressing support for Cooper while others question either the severity of the allegations or Cooper’s timing in coming forward. This polarization reflects broader societal tensions around how harassment claims—particularly those that don’t involve physical assault—are perceived and addressed in sports environments.
Potential legal and ethical implications
The allegations potentially implicate multiple legal frameworks, including Title IX violations that could trigger federal investigation. Questions of university liability also arise, particularly if Cooper’s claims about administrative inaction prove accurate.
From an ethical standpoint, the alleged behavior would constitute clear violations of coaching standards established by organizations like the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, which emphasize maintaining appropriate professional boundaries with athletes.
Moving forward
As this situation continues to unfold, several key developments will be worth monitoring: potential statements from Feldman or Boston University, possible investigations by BU or external authorities, and any legal actions that might emerge. The case also raises important questions about power dynamics in collegiate athletics and the effectiveness of current systems for addressing harassment claims.
The broader implications for athlete protection policies and institutional accountability may be significant, potentially leading to reforms in how universities handle similar allegations in the future.
Conclusion
Alex Cooper’s accusations against Nancy Feldman represent a significant moment in the ongoing conversation about athlete welfare and institutional responsibility in collegiate sports. As more details emerge, this case may serve as an important catalyst for examining how universities respond to harassment allegations and protect their student-athletes.
The silence from both Feldman and Boston University thus far only intensifies questions about accountability and transparency in such situations. For the sports community, these allegations serve as a reminder of the importance of creating safe environments where athletes can thrive without fear of exploitation or harassment.
As this story develops, the focus must remain on establishing clearer pathways for addressing misconduct and ensuring that all athletes can participate in their sport without compromising their dignity or well-being.
