A former volleyball player who accused San Jose State University (SJSU) head coach Todd Kress of a hotel room assault in 1998 has broken her silence, alleging that the university knew of her claims since October 2024 but did not take action against the coach.
The accuser, who previously played for Kress at Fairfield University, stated that she informed SJSU officials of the alleged encounter after reading accounts of young women on the 2024 SJSU team describing intimidating and manipulative behaviors by Kress.
"SJSU has known I feared for the safety of the women in the program since October of 2024 and yet they have allowed Todd to continue to coach and travel with the team," she told Fox News Digital. She expressed that her motivation for coming forward was to protect other athletes, stating, "I trusted the system and chose to operate without public attention."
According to a letter detailing the allegations, the incident occurred in a hotel room after Fairfield's loss in the 1998 NCAA Tournament. The accuser alleges Kress smeared caramel on her face and hair, forcibly threw her on a bed, and later held her down in a bathtub, threatening to turn on the shower. She further alleges Kress blocked her exit from the room and only allowed her to leave after she took a shot of liquor.
Emails obtained by Fox News Digital indicate that SJSU officials acknowledged receipt of the allegations in October 2024, met with the former player and her lawyer, and apologized for her experiences. However, a public records request submitted by Fox News Digital seeking emails related to an investigation into these 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 stated.
SJSU volleyball player Brooke Slusser, who played under Kress for the 2023-24 season, previously told Fox News Digital that she and other teammates were not informed of any allegations against the coach during that season. Slusser is currently suing SJSU for her own alleged experiences playing under Kress and alongside trans athlete Blaire Fleming.
A U.S. Department of Education Title IX investigation into SJSU over a separate transgender athlete scandal found that the university allegedly decided not to suspend or remove Kress, referred to as "Coach 2" in the findings, despite Title IX-related complaints. University records cited in the findings indicated that officials decided against suspending the coach to avoid "more media attention" and because they felt his suspension would "unduly disrupt the team."
The federal investigation's findings did not mention the former Fairfield player and her allegations. SJSU and the California State University system are contesting these findings.
Former SJSU associated head coach Melissa Batie-Smoose was suspended and later not retained after submitting a Title IX complaint regarding the team's handling of the Fleming situation. She is currently pursuing a wrongful termination lawsuit against SJSU.
Neither SJSU nor Kress has publicly addressed the allegations since they were first reported. Fox News Digital has sent multiple inquiries to Kress, SJSU, and the California State University system seeking comment, but no response has been received.