Pastoral Outlook
In October 2024 San Jose State University received a letter from a woman who played for coach Todd Kress at Fairfield University in 1998 alleging an assault in a team hotel room after an NCAA Tournament game; the letter described specific alleged actions and was accompanied by the sender’s name and history. SJSU officials acknowledged receipt of the letter, thanked the sender, apologized for her experiences, and arranged at least one meeting in November 2024 to discuss next steps; there was no publicly disclosed further correspondence. During the 2024 season former SJSU player Brooke Slusser says she was warned by people close to her, including her parents, not to be alone in a room with Kress and that the university did not inform players about the October 2024 letter. Assistant coach Melissa Batie-Smoose was suspended days after submitting a Title IX complaint; her contract was not renewed the following January and she later filed a wrongful termination lawsuit. Kress remained head coach through and after the 2024–2025 seasons and has posted about recruiting activity on social media. Fox News Digital reviewed and verified copies of emails between SJSU and the 1998 player, verified that the 1998 player played under Kress at Fairfield, and reports it did not receive responses to questions from Kress, SJSU officials, or the university’s counsel. Slusser is separately pursuing a lawsuit against SJSU and the California State University system related to alleged experiences involving a transgender teammate in 2023–2024. SJSU declined a public records request for the communications cited, citing substantial privacy interests.
This story raises serious pastoral and civic concerns: if true, the allegations point to harm done to a vulnerable student and to possible institutional failures to protect current students and to communicate risks. The article centers survivor testimony and documentary claims while noting limited public response from the coach and university; that is a typical pattern when institutions balance privacy, legal processes, and public accountability. Christians should hold together two commitments at once — compassion and support for those who say they were harmed, and careful pursuit of truth and justice through appropriate channels. Watch for institutional incentives (reputation, athletics priorities, legal exposure) that can shape how information is handled; also note how graphic details can prompt strong reactions before full investigations conclude. Pastoral responses should prioritize solidarity with possible victims, insistence on thorough and impartial investigation, and calling institutions to transparent processes that protect students while respecting due process.Thought to Remember
“Seek justice for the vulnerable, speak truth with compassion, and insist institutions protect those in their care.”