Alex Cooper, the vibrant host of the No. 1 podcast “Call Her Daddy,” has made some pretty incendiary accusations against her former soccer coach, Nancy Feldman. She exposes these allegations in her documentary, “Call Her Alex.” The film had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. More importantly, Cooper and his attorney’s efforts have brought useful light to the troubling experiences Cooper faced as a student-athlete at Boston University.
Cooper, who was able to participate in collegiate soccer because of a full-tuition scholarship, claims that the conduct started as early as her sophomore year. She alleged that Feldman became fixated on her, more so than any other teammate. This fixation was the beginning of what Cooper goes on to call harassment.
The allegations detail instances of Feldman’s misconduct, including inappropriate physical contact and invasive questions about Cooper’s personal life. Cooper remembers one specific alleged incident in which Feldman put his hand on her thigh and questioned her sex life. She mentioned that Feldman would often say, “I have to drive you to your night class,” which contributed to an uncomfortable dynamic between them.
Reflecting on her experiences, Cooper stated, “When I look back at that time in my life, I was scared, hopeless.” The coach-player relationship was very loaded with power dynamics. These dynamics made it incredibly difficult for Cooper to come forward with her allegations during that period.
At the very least, Feldman should have faced immediate consequences for her actions. She did not—she was able to retire from her position in 2022 without being terminated. Cooper’s shocking but necessary revelations further amplify the need for accountability in sports. They further shine a light on the need to meaningfully support victims of harassment.
Cooper chose to tell her story in “Call Her Alex.” She hopes to open people’s eyes to the plight of long-hidden athletes who fight these battles in darkness. Further, she highlighted how it was a “psychotic game” that ultimately put her in a place of isolating silence.
The film tells a deeply personal story. We remind institutions that allegations of harassment should always be taken seriously and institutions must create thriving, safe cultures for all athletes.
