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. He seemed very nice.. He leaned in and tried to kiss me. "It's started showing me there's a bigger picture to this," she says. Aside from writing and editing investigative news stories, he enjoys hiking, watching basketball and spending time with his wife and cat. The earliest OEO interview notes obtained as part of the records request are dated in early January. But then she had the encounter with Gesser in 2015. FILE _ Former . There was enough concern for me to bring to President [Schulz], Picciotto told investigators. The whole victim shaming that our society does infuriates me. After the incident, she then drove him back to his hotel room, she said. 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. Dec 22, 2002 22,072 . [Gesser] ruined the school that I love and that I want to be an alumna in, she said. 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. Schulz knew of many claims about advances on student interns, donor event actions. After going winless in four starts, he was replaced by Andy Kelly. Gesser led WSU to two straight 10 win seasons from 2001-2002, and finished seventh in the 2002 Heisman Trophy race. I am categorically opposed to harassment or sexism in the workplace or society, and I am deeply committed to my wife and children.. He went on to also say a donor had complained and questioned the decision, according to the records. Farkas also told investigators the department held some concerns over Gessers decision to invite the woman to the event. 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. In 2007, he was offensive coordinator at Parkland's Franklin Pierce High School. Jason Gesser was really nice. We have estimated Gesser is a former WSU quarterback who led the Cougars to the 2003 Rose Bowl, before embarking on a professional playing and college coaching career. He is the only player in Cougar history to be elected as captain three consecutive years. Associate Director of Athletics Bill Stevens said Gesser and Director of Athletics Patrick Chun would not comment on the story, citing WSUs policy against commenting on personnel matters. He is second, only to Luke Falk, in having the most wins of any quarterback in Washington State history. It's something to do with her hands so they don't shake during interviews. I still think its affecting her now, Peterson said. You know when you aren't playing good. To the young woman that I made feel uncomfortable, I respectfully have a different recollection of the situation youve described, Gesser wrote, but acknowledge that I should never have been in the situation in the first place, and I apologize. He said, We probably shouldnt tell my wife that I saw you. That sent me into a whirlwind because I didnt know what to think. The woman, 27-year-old Alyssa Bodeau, told The Spokesman-Review she filed the official complaint Monday with the WSU Office for Equal Opportunity after reading a story on Saturday about other allegations brought against Gesser. Woman told the Evergreen Gesser slid hands up her dress, made aggressive attempts to kiss her. He was only 18 years old. 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. Farkas told investigators that regardless of their findings, the damage had been done. One possibility is that an NFL team would sign Gesser, then ship him off to play in Europe this spring. In accordance with standard WSU practice Mr. Gesser was placed on home assignment pending a full investigation into the allegations.. 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. During the 2006 off-season he was a quarterbacks coach at Federal Way High School in Federal Way, Washington. 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. In his opinion, she was being flown up to be Jasons girl at the event. Roberts also said Wold told her she didnt want to be involved with the Gesser family going forward. 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. Phil Weiler, vice president of marketing and communications for WSU, said he would speak on behalf of Schulz for the story. On May 5, 2005, Gesser was signed by the Calgary Stampeders. When she read those allegations in the newspaper two weeks ago, she realized she was not alone. I received a text from Jason Gesser that next day, saying that we probably shouldnt tell [his] wife that we saw each other, Wold said. Facebook gives people the power to. They were only a couple blocks away from her house at the time and she said the move confused her. She said she decided not to tell people about what happened because she didnt want to harm the Gesser family. 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. In the following years since that night, Wold said she struggles when she sees images or articles about Gesser. I just referred to it as an HR issue, Almond said in the records. Receive News Headlines Right in your Inbox! Almond also backed up this claim in his interview with OEO, according to the records. Gesser coached the Crusaders for two seasons, then left in 2011 to become a graduate assistant at WSU in Pullman. As soon as the door closed behind me, he came closer to me and attempted to kiss me again, she 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. 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. . 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. The couple knew each other for three years prior to dating and Bodeau said he had never seen her in such a state. She walked-on as a transfer after being recruited by Head Coach Jen Greeny, she said. He is also minoring in criminal Dylan Greene is a journalism and media production major from Stanwood. I definitely felt more support just from those results, Bodeau said of the investigation. IAN SMAY and DYLAN GREENESeptember 17, 2018. Farkas said in his interview with OEO that Ganders had told him the donor called and was irate because Jason dropped [the former player] off the following morning, according to the records. But I am reserved to see how it will affect her. 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. 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. Kali has landed a sales job with a pharmaceutical company. Once in the driveway, he made an attempt to kiss her which she said she refused. Gesser, who was assistant athletic director at WSU, resigned last week in light of the multiple allegations of sexual misconduct. 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. According to the updated WSU report, he never sat down with investigators to give his side of the story. Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? Gesser, who was assistant athletic director at WSU, resigned last week in light of the multiple allegations of sexual misconduct. Just minutes after he was informed that a second woman came forward with sexual misconduct allegations, Gesser resigned. "I want to do something, but I don't know how. Farkas said in his interview with OEO that Schulz received information about the situation on Dec. 1, 2017, according to the records. 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. Weiler said there is nothing inherently wrong with employees having students babysit as long as nothing inappropriate takes place. 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. Also learn how He earned most of networth at the age of 41 years old? We typically pay for former student-athletes to attend those events.. . 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. By the time she made it back home, she said everyone was asleep, giving her no one to speak with about what had happened. Gesser is the grandson of Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame member Joseph "Red" Dunn. It made me avoid Pullman. But you know, when a school has so many Rose Bowl heroes to choose from Are you talking about Gesser? the intern asked. Bodeau grew up in Spokane Valley, attended West Valley High School and played volleyball at Lewis-Clark State College before transferring to WSU in 2012. 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. It was the other women's pain. Jason John Gesser (born May 31, 1979) is an American college football coach and former player, currently the quarterbacks coach for the Wyoming Cowboys of the Mountain West Conference.He was previously the interim head coach, offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach, and recruiting coordinator for the Idaho Vandals of the WAC. I dont see anything inappropriate with that, Weiler said. "This was something that was my personal hurt that I would bury deep and take with me.". Copyright 2023, The Spokesman-Review | Community Guidelines | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Copyright Policy, Former Washington State quarterback, and current athletic department employee, Jason Gesser has issued a statement denying that he has had any inappropriate sexual relations with interns or staff, and wrote that he will not allow his name to be unfairly smeared. |, Washington State University officials announced Thursday that they found no violation of University policy regarding an investigation into alleged inappropriate sexual conduct by former quarterback, and current athletic staff member, Jason Gesser. EP 15 prohibits discrimination, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct and applies to all students, faculty, staff and anyone associated with the university, according to the OEO website. But what about them? The records also show Almond informing investigators that former female employee had told him about an intern claiming she had relations with Gesser. "I was playing good. Bailey Roberts, 26, said she remembered getting a phone call from her older sister about the encounter with Gesser. I was told that Schulz had already been made aware of discretions about Jason Gesser by his cabinet prior to our meeting. Bodeau married Steven Bodeau, 28, in 2017. Brenna Peterson, one of Wolds former roommates, said Wold called her the next day and told her what happened with her and Gesser the night before. I remember her being very distraught, very emotional and confused about what had just happened, Roberts said. 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. 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. Alyssa Bodeau, 27, of Spokane says Jason Gesser, a former WSU quarter back and Athletic Department employee, tried to force himself on her after a school fund-raising event in 2015. I bleed crimson for my love of Pullman. Im hoping it wont be a negative impact.. In 2013, Gesser returned to Pullman after six years of professional football and several coaching stops, including a stint at the University of Idaho. It's one thing to read about something like this in the news, or see it on TV. Alyssa Wold-Bodeau, a former WSU volleyball player, told The Daily Evergreen on Monday that Gesser groped her and tried forcefully to kiss her after the two attended a fundraising event in 2015.. What about the institutions, the power structures that let this go on for so long in the first place? He succeeded Bill Marsh, who had resigned after ten seasons with the school. But thinking it was an isolated incident, Bodeau did not take her concerns any further. 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. Who Is Jason Gesser's Wife? Nonconsensual groping, unwanted attempts to kiss. |. ". Various officials, including spokespeople for WSU Athletics, the OEO and Schulz could not be reached for comment by the time of publication despite numerous attempts. [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. 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 a coach, I seek out schools that provide all aspects of our youths development and create an environment that fosters growth through trusted relationships.. Anderson said she could not comment on specific investigations. Once inside, he continued to attempt to kiss her and pushed his hands under her dress. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 31 May. In 2013, Gesser returned to Pullman after six years of professional football and several coaching stops, including a stint at the University of Idaho. She went on to play at WSU, where she met Gesser's wife, a former volleyball player herself. I want to clearly state that the allegations are not true. Seeing how many other women this happens to has hit her the hardest. It was after that fundraiser when Gesser allegedly tried to force himself on her. So far, she's messaged the women back, thanking them for sharing. However, Gesser later learned of Almond going to HR and confronted him. I love wearing my alumni letter jacket that I earned, she said as tears streamed down her face. Gesser recruited the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii for Idaho. He also said she told him how excited she was to attend the event, but how the night quickly turned sour. Lutheran Community Services 24-hour sexual assault crisis line: 624-7273. and I am deeply committed to my wife . ", If nothing develops, he said, "then I'll probably go into coaching because I want to be a college coach.". She said she felt the need to speak out now to prevent what happened to her from happening to others. 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. She met with investigators from the WSU Office for Equal Opportunity in September after she decided to come forward with her story. 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. When Wold started nannying for the Gessers in 2013, she was still a student but no longer an athlete. 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. I had no idea how to feel, I felt like it was my fault, he had made me feel like it was my fault. Gesser sent his letter of resignation to WSU on Tuesday. 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. Gesser said he plans to continue pursuing his dream of playing professional football "for the next two to three years and see what happens. "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. 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. Gesser answered the Evergreens call, but hung up before we could identify ourselves or ask any questions. It might just take a little bit for me to feel comfortable. Is WSU athletics paying for Jasons side pieces to travel with him to events? Farkas told investigators a donor asked him. Nothing in that year-and-a-half led me to believe that I could not trust him, Bodeau said. "Awesome," he said. The event was really great. Jason Gesser has resigned as assistant AD at Washington State following new allegations of sexual misconduct against him by a former WSU volleyball player. During an interview with KREM 2, she said she grew close to the Gesser family and met Gesser's wife through WSU volleyball. There is work that will have to be done.. He put his hand around my head and pulled my head in to kiss him and I could hardly say no by the time my face was so close to him, she said. The department can reach out to those outside of WSU if there is reason to believe they have important information, Anderson said. It could show people in the future that this is a safe, supportive space to bring these things.. Jason Gesser's net worth It was similar to other allegations against Gesser that WSU investigated earlier this year. I would imagine it was the start of the investigation, Weiler said of when Schulz was informed of the situation. Jason Gesser's income source is mostly from being a successful . During the. After a deluge of Spokane women call out alleged rapists and sexual abusers on social media, what comes next? She thinks of the college she loves. 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. 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. I was so confused and terrified in that moment, Wold said during an in-person interview at Neill Public Library on Monday. She knows if she had to do it all over, she would definitely share her story publicly again. Bodeau says she's received messages from women who are afraid of filing a complaint at WSU because of the way the university handled the Gesser allegations. For Bodeau, Gesser resigning isn't enough. Gessers aggressive, nonconsensual advances continued until Wold was able to free herself, she said, after which she ran toward the front door and told Gesser he had to leave. 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. 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. Gesser, a late camp cut by the Tennessee Titans, was stunned when he was released. she asks. [An intern] shared a concern with me, Almond said in the records. Her husband said she originally didnt want to tell him the details, telling him she had received an unwanted text message. Gesser replaces Shawn McWashington, himself part of the iconic Fab Five receivers from the breakthrough 1997 Rose Bowl team. Washington State University placed former quarterback, and current athletic department employee, Jason Gesser on administrative leave Monday after a former Cougar athlete came forward with new . She said she again reminded Gesser of his family. He was told by somebody that I shared it. 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. These feelings kept her from inviting the Gessers to their wedding and when his name would pop up, it would bring back the emotions of that night. All told, out of the hundreds of messages of support she received, around 30 are women who themselves were victims of sexual misconduct, many at WSU. When it was over, (Gesser) invited me to go have drinks with Bill Moos other co-workers and a female intern.. Almond told investigators he met with Schulz. 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. Bodeau won't be satisfied until the dozens of women who messaged her are comfortable sharing their experiences with institutions like WSU. In August, IMG and WSU announced that Gesser would not resume his role as a radio analyst for WSU football games to allow him to focus on his role with the CAF. After college, Gesser played professional football for six years and spent time on four separate coaching staffs, including serving as the interim head coach at the University of Idaho for six games, before returning to WSU in 2013. Updated Tue., Sept. 18, 2018 at 8:06 a.m. Former WSU QB Jason Gesser (Dan Pelle / The Spokesman-Review). 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. 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. 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. [Coworker] indicated that Jason had a sexual relationship with [intern], a student-athlete and Jasons intern, Farkas said, according to the notes. When I was informed in November about the student-athlete, I felt compelled to share with HR, he said in the records. WSU has determined that Gessers interaction with Bodeau violated university sexual harassment policy. Gesser, a late camp cut by the Tennessee . Her husband, Stephen Bodeau, has tried to support her. 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 tried to force himself on her after a fundraising event in 2015. That includes Uri Farkas, director of the Cougar Athletic Fund, and Gil Picciotto, executive associate vice president for the WSU Foundation. Her hand clenches the mug handle. He had a full time job but all he ever looked for was something more. He texted me and asked to meet with me, Almond said in the records. 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. She definitely didnt want me to tell anyone else because she wasnt sure how she was going to deal with it.. And I'm a stranger, and they're coming to me. He was previously the interim head coach, offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach, and recruiting coordinator for the Idaho Vandals of the WAC. Chances are you or someone you love has experienced what its like to be a caregiver while juggling lifes bills and responsibilities. A day later, another woman named Lindsey Streets detailed to the Spokesman-Review how, in 2015, she called police after a sexual encounter with Gesser while she worked as a masseuse. Schulz, who would not speak directly to the Evergreen about the story, met with our staff on Sept. 7 as part of a new series of monthly meetings. "Because they may not have felt like they had the support to speak their story.". She called me and was pretty distraught, I could definitely tell she was emotional, Roberts 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.. When asked if he could step in during personnel matters, Schulz answered yes. I was very close with their oldest daughter, she still has my signs on her door.. Discover today's celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday. She may have even expected Gesser to resign due to pressure created by her allegations and others. Jason Gessers income source is mostly from being a successful . I realized that a donor is now frustrated because of the actions of Jason Gesser, Ganders told investigators. "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. He said that he was afraid that I would say something about everything., Concerns from donors and behavior at fundraisers. Frontier Behavioral Health's 24-hour First Call for Help line: 838-4428 or toll free at 1-877-678-4428. Im happy that shes taking the steps, Roberts said. "It was hard," said Gesser, who was a Titans backup in 2003. Jason Gesser is an entrepreneur and the founder of Grit Consulting, a business consultancy that provides strategic tools to help support companies' organic growth. Following allegations from multiple women of sexual misconduct, Gesser resigned from WSU in September 2018. They then walked inside the house, where she said Gesser immediately restarted his attempts to kiss her. Ganders, a regional director for the CAF at the time, and Gesser attended the event. And Matt Almond who explicitly told WSU investigators that he was told to "stay in my line" by Thompson no longer works at WSU IMG, which contracts with WSU to broadcast games, his wife confirms to the Inlander. Those reports prompted Gesser's former nanny to go public Monday with what she described . 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. He asked, Why? I said, Because you are a married man and you have a family.. , money, salary, income, and assets. 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. He filled the open position left by his successor at Eastside Catholic, Jeremy Thielbar, a former Cougar teammate. 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. She played her junior season in 2012, but chose to sit out her senior year because of an injury. [She said] the man she used to nanny for had tried to force himself on her.. 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. At 43 years old, Jason Gesser height not available right now. 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. Wilson Criscione. 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. 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. A WSU employee, who the Inlander is not naming and who reported that Gesser tried to kiss her, has also since left WSU.
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