During the filming of a recent documentary, allegations of harassment and abuse of power at Boston University (BU) have come to light, raising serious concerns within the campus community.
Podcaster Alexandra Cooper, known for her hit show ‘Call Her Daddy,’ has become a prominent voice in sharing these experiences.
According to Deadline, Cooper revealed that after speaking to one of the victims of these abuses, she felt compelled to bring the issue to public attention.
Cooper recounted a horrific story that underscored a culture of fear and silence surrounding the athletics department.
Despite the gravity of these allegations, BU’s athletics department has not responded to inquiries from the media, and attempts to reach former coach Feldman were unsuccessful.
The documentary, directed by Ry Russo-Young, notably lacks any statements from the university or its former coach, as reported by USA Today.
Cooper, a native of Newtown, Pennsylvania, has achieved remarkable success in the podcasting world, claiming the title of one of the most successful female podcasters globally.
Her podcast ‘Call Her Daddy’ ranked as the second-most popular podcast on Spotify in 2024, trailing only behind ‘The Joe Rogan Experience.’
In a groundbreaking deal in 2021, she signed a three-year contract worth $60 million with Spotify, marking the most lucrative exclusive deal ever granted to a woman-led show.
Further solidifying her influence, Cooper recently secured a three-year, $125 million agreement with SiriusXM, a move that has been compared to Howard Stern’s departure from terrestrial radio in 2006.
Cooper’s podcast features high-profile guests, including Vice President Kamala Harris, thus enhancing her reputation as a voice for a younger generation, often likened to ‘Gen Z’s Barbara Walters.’
Her connection to Boston University began in high school when she committed to the school in 10th grade while playing as an attacking central midfielder at The Pennington School.
During her college career at BU from 2013 to 2015, Cooper participated in 49 games, scoring one goal and recording one assist.
In a shocking revelation in the documentary, Cooper describes experiencing harassment from coach Feldman during her time at BU.
She began to receive invasive comments from Feldman about her body and personal life when she was just a sophomore.
Cooper alleges that when she refused to divulge personal details, Feldman retaliated by benching her.
Cooper characterized the interaction as a ‘psychotic game’ where the coach pressured her to talk about her sex life.
Feldman’s inappropriate conduct also included comments on Cooper’s appearance and unwanted physical contact, such as placing her hand on Cooper’s thigh.
The documentary revealed that Feldman’s focus on Cooper was significantly more intense than that on her other teammates.
Following years of alleged harassment, Cooper and her mother approached BU’s ‘dean of athletics’ in hopes of addressing the issues they faced.
Unfortunately, Cooper reported feeling dismissed during their meeting, as the university allegedly refused to review her mother’s notes regarding Feldman’s conduct.
Rather than firing the coach, BU reportedly offered Cooper the option to remain on scholarship.
‘Within five minutes, they had entirely dismissed everything I had been through,’ Cooper stated in the documentary, highlighting her frustration and disappointment.
Drew Marrochello has served as BU’s athletic director since 2014, but recent attempts to contact his office resulted in redirection to a voicemail system with no response.
Feldman’s tenure at BU spanned 27 years, during which she led the Terriers to considerable success in NCAA competitions.
Her achievements included 14 NCAA Tournament appearances and numerous conference championships.
A highly regarded figure in collegiate coaching, Feldman’s coaching career began shortly after her graduation from UMass in 1983, with positions at various colleges before arriving at BU in 1995.
Furthermore, a LinkedIn profile indicates that she was a board member of United Soccer Coaches until her resignation last fall.
However, a spokesperson for the organization declined to comment further on Feldman’s situation, leaving questions surrounding the allegations unanswered.
image source from：https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/06/09/sports/alex-cooper-boston-university-soccer/
