SJSU Volleyball Coach’s Accuser Breaks Silence on Alleged 1998 Assault

A woman who has accused San Jose State University (SJSU) head volleyball coach Todd Kress of an alleged assault in 1998 has spoken out for the first time since the allegations became public. The accuser, a former player for Kress at Fairfield University, detailed her experience and expressed concerns about the university’s handling of her complaint, which she lodged in October 2024.

Victim Details Alleged Assault and SJSU’s Response

The former player, who has chosen to remain anonymous, stated that she informed SJSU officials about her alleged encounter with Kress in October 2024. She claims the university was aware of her fears for the safety of female athletes in the program but allowed Kress to continue coaching and traveling with the team. Her decision to come forward followed accounts from young women on the current SJSU team describing Kress’s alleged intimidating, coercive, and manipulative behavior.

“Why don’t some women come forward after being assaulted by those in positions of power? It’s a fair question. One needs to look no further than the situation at SJSU,” the accuser stated, emphasizing the systemic issues that can prevent victims from speaking out.

The allegations surfaced two weeks prior to the accuser’s statement. While neither SJSU nor Kress has publicly addressed the claims, Kress has reportedly continued to post on social media about recruiting efforts. Reports from July 7 indicated that SJSU administrators received an email in October 2024 containing a letter detailing the alleged 1998 hotel room assault.

Emails obtained through a verified independent source suggest SJSU officials acknowledged receiving the allegations, met with the former player and her legal counsel, and offered an apology for her experiences. However, a public records request filed by Fox News Digital seeking details of any investigation into the allegations was denied by SJSU, citing privacy exemptions and attorney-client privilege.

“Did SJSU investigate my complaint? They were given information that would have allowed them to corroborate my claims. Their refusal to release their investigative steps and final determination allows for much speculation,” the former player commented. She added that her primary motivation was to protect young women, trusting the system to act on the information provided without seeking public attention.

Details of the Alleged 1998 Incident

The accuser’s identity has been verified, confirming she played for Kress at Fairfield in 1998. The alleged incident occurred in a hotel room after Fairfield’s loss to Clemson in the first round of the 1998 NCAA Tournament. According to a letter detailing the event, Kress allegedly smeared caramel on the accuser’s face and hair, forcibly threw her onto a bed, and held her down. He then allegedly exposed himself to her and forced her into a bathtub, threatening to turn on the shower.

The accuser recounted resisting Kress’s actions. After she was allowed out of the tub, Kress allegedly blocked her exit and demanded she take a shot of liquor before allowing her to leave. She reported fleeing to her room, with Kress reportedly chasing her before calmly walking away.

Brooke Slusser’s Experience and Title IX Investigation

Brooke Slusser, another former player who played under Kress from 2023-2024, stated that she and other teammates were unaware of the allegations against Kress in the fall of 2024, receiving no information from the university. Slusser is currently involved in a lawsuit against SJSU regarding her own alleged experiences playing under Kress and alongside Blaire Fleming.

A U.S. Department of Education Title IX investigation into SJSU concerning a separate transgender athlete scandal revealed that the university allegedly opted not to suspend or remove its head volleyball coach during the 2024 controversy, despite Title IX-related complaints. While the investigation’s findings did not name Kress, they referred to a “Coach 2” whose suspension was reportedly avoided to prevent further media attention and undue disruption to the team. The findings did not mention the 1998 assault allegations.

The investigation did not specify the nature of the complaints against “Coach 2.” SJSU and the California State University system are reportedly challenging these findings in court. Meanwhile, former associated head coach Melissa Batie-Smoose, who submitted a Title IX complaint regarding the team’s handling of the Fleming situation, was suspended and later had her contract non-renewed, and is now pursuing a wrongful termination lawsuit against SJSU.

University’s Stance on Record Requests

SJSU has consistently denied requests for records related to investigations into Kress. Public records requests seeking emails concerning an investigation into the allegations against Kress, as well as the initial complaint letter and subsequent university correspondence, have been denied. The university cited exemptions for attorney-client privilege and substantial privacy interests, arguing that disclosure would constitute an invasion of privacy outweighing public interest.

In response to a records request for the October 24, 2024 complaint letter, a November 1 follow-up email, and a November 7 response from the university’s Title IX office, SJSU stated the records were being withheld due to personnel records/privacy, general privacy rights, and a balancing test where the minimal public interest in disclosure was outweighed by the significant privacy rights of individuals.

Emails obtained by Fox News Digital from a verified source show that SJSU’s former interim Title IX and Gender Equity Officer, Peter Lim, acknowledged the accuser’s concerns in October 2024, apologizing for her experiences and expressing a desire to meet to assess potential next steps, which could include an investigation. Lim also stated he was evaluating the information and determining appropriate actions. However, no further correspondence between Lim and the former player has been documented after November 7, 2024.

Multiple inquiries made by Fox News Digital to Kress, Lim, SJSU administrators, and spokespeople for the California State University system regarding responses to the allegations, the accuser’s statements, Slusser’s claims, the nature of any investigation, and the justification for withholding records have reportedly gone unanswered. Fairfield University, when contacted for comment, stated that it does not comment on current or former personnel matters.