Who is Nancy Feldman? All about Alex Cooper’s Former Coach

Podcast host Alex Cooper has made serious accusations against her former Boston University soccer coach, Nancy Feldman. The claims came to light in Cooper’s new Hulu docuseries, Call Her Alex, which premiered on June 10 following its debut at the Tribeca Festival on June 8.

Allegations From College Days

Cooper, who played soccer for Boston University between 2013 and 2015, said the issues began in her sophomore year. According to her, Feldman started showing inappropriate interest that had nothing to do with her performance on the field.

“It wasn’t about soccer anymore,” Cooper said. “She wanted to know who I was dating, she made comments about my body, and she always tried to get me alone.”

Cooper claimed Feldman would touch her without permission—placing a hand on her thigh—and pressure her to talk about her sex life in exchange for more playtime. “She would say things like, ‘Tell me about your sex life if you want to play,’” Cooper said in the documentary.

Family Spoke Out — But No Action Was Taken

Cooper and her parents, Bryan and Laurie Cooper, say they reported Feldman’s behavior to Boston University. They provided written documents of the alleged harassment. However, they claim that the university chose not to investigate.

Despite the accusations, Feldman stayed on as head coach until she retired in 2022. Cooper eventually quit the soccer team before her senior year but kept her full scholarship. “I told them I couldn’t play for her anymore,” she said. “They said, ‘Fine, but we’re not firing her.’ That was it.”

Who Is Nancy Feldman?

Nancy Feldman, originally from Needham, Massachusetts, coached Boston University’s women’s soccer team from 1995 to 2022. Before that, she played college soccer at UMass Amherst and earned a reputation as a passionate and successful coach. She won 326 games and led her team to 14 NCAA tournament appearances.

She shares two adult children and grandchildren with her partner, Emily.

The Emotional Toll

In the documentary, Cooper returns to her former practice field. “The moment I stepped on that field, I felt 18 again,” she said during a Q&A at the Tribeca premiere. “I was powerless all over again.”

She said it took a decade to come forward, but she no longer feels shame. “This isn’t just about me,” she added. “It’s about a system that fails women who experience harassment, especially in college sports.”

As of now, Boston University and Feldman have not commented publicly.