Alex Cooper Says Coach Made Her Life 'Hell'

The eastern part of Boston University’s campus on Commonwealth Avenue in May 2014. Photo by 4300streetcar under CC BY 4.0.

Alex Cooper built her podcast empire on candor, but her latest revelations are striking a deeper chord and sparking intense debate. In her new Hulu docuseries, the podcast host details alleged sexual harassment she experienced as a college athlete, leveling serious accusations against a once-celebrated coach. Now, Boston University is responding, alumni are speaking out, and the internet can’t look away.

The Allegations

In the Hulu series “Call Her Alex,” which premiered at the Tribeca Festival on June 8, Cooper alleges that Nancy Feldman, her former soccer coach at Boston University, fixated on her during her sophomore year.

Cooper describes repeated instances where Feldman made comments about her body and personal life. She claims the coach asked invasive questions such as, “Did you have sex last night?” after seeing her get dropped off on campus by a male student, according to the Independent.

Cooper alleges Feldman insisted on driving her to night classes alone and often touched her thigh, behavior she says left her feeling “deeply uncomfortable,” according to Page Six.

During her appearance on the “Armchair Expert” podcast, Cooper recalled being put on probation before her senior year - not for poor grades or missed practices, but for missing one night class, which she claims she skipped to avoid another solo ride with Feldman.

She said, “This entire thing is just meant now to control me even more, to have more one-on-ones with me, to get me alone, to isolate me. And I was just like, I can’t do this anymore because I knew it’s going to get so much worse. This is going to be a living hell,” according to the Independent.

Behind the Scenes and Legal Concerns

Fearing the loss of her full athletic scholarship, Cooper said she stayed silent for a time. Eventually, she told her parents, who reached out to attorneys. However, the legal team warned that a formal complaint could lead to a drawn-out battle with the university.

Cooper never filed a lawsuit, and it’s unclear whether she made an official report to Boston University beyond informing the athletic director, Drew Marrochello, who she claims “ignored” her concerns, according to PEOPLE.

Nancy Feldman was never formally investigated or disciplined by the university. She retired in 2022, and Cooper did not return to the team for her senior year. Still, she retained her scholarship.

The University Responds

Boston University released a statement following the release of the docuseries, saying, “Boston University has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment. We have a robust system of resources, support and staff dedicated to student wellbeing and a thorough reporting process through our Equal Opportunity Office,” according to PEOPLE.

Pushback From Alumni

Just days after the docuseries premiered, 99 former players from Boston University’s women’s soccer program signed a letter defending Coach Feldman. The letter, obtained by TMZ, stated, “We categorically never felt unsafe” under Feldman’s leadership.

The alumni said they were never witness to any behavior that could be considered sexual harassment and described Feldman as a professional who supported the team during and after their college years. According to TMZ, the former players said Feldman “has remained an important part of our lives, and we shall stand by her.”

Moving Forward

On Instagram, Cooper wrote that Feldman “made my life a living hell and abused her power over me,” according to PEOPLE. “This defined my life for a decade and impacted her life 0%.”

Despite the lack of a formal complaint or legal resolution, Cooper’s public statements have reignited broader discussions around athlete safety, the power dynamics in collegiate sports, and the barriers to reporting misconduct. Feldman has not responded publicly to the allegations.

References: Alex Cooper tearfully accuses college soccer coach of sexual harassment | Boston University Soccer Alums Defend Coach … After Alex Cooper Allegations | Boston University soccer players defend coach after Alex Cooper allegations | Alex Cooper reveals breaking point in decision to leave college soccer after sexual harassment claims against coach