The woman who has accused San Jose State University (SJSU) head volleyball coach Todd Kress of assaulting her in a hotel room in 1998 has spoken publicly for the first time since the allegations surfaced. The accuser, who previously played under Kress at Fairfield University, informed SJSU officials in October 2024 about her alleged experience.

She told Fox News Digital on condition of anonymity, "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."

The alleged incident reportedly occurred in a hotel following Fairfield's loss to Clemson in the first round of the 1998 NCAA Tournament in December. The accuser stated she came forward after reading accounts from young women on the 2024 SJSU team describing Kress's intimidation, coercive, and manipulative behaviors.

Fox News Digital reported on July 7 that during the peak of the 2024 SJSU volleyball transgender athlete controversy, administrators received an email from the woman in October 2024. A Department of Education Title IX investigation found that SJSU allegedly chose not to suspend or relieve Kress during the 2024 transgender controversy despite complaints against him.

Meanwhile, former associate head coach Melissa Batie-Smoose was suspended and later not renewed after filing a Title IX complaint regarding the team's handling of the transgender athlete Blaire Fleming and other women in 2024.

The accuser expressed frustration with SJSU's handling of her complaint, saying, "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."

She added, "My singular motivation was a hope that in bringing to the attention of school administrators what Todd did to me, they might act to protect young women. I trusted the system and chose to operate without public attention."

The accuser also noted, "The school gave us absolutely zero information. This was never brought up once."

Todd Kress is also known for coaching the 2024 SJSU volleyball season, which was marked by controversy involving transgender athlete Blaire Fleming and teammate Brooke Slusser.

Sources