Navratilova Urges SJSU to Fire Todd Kress Over 1998 Assault Allegations
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 7
Navratilova Urges SJSU to Fire Todd Kress Over 1998 Assault Allegations
2 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 7
Summary
Martina Navratilova called for San Jose State to fire volleyball coach Todd Kress after reports that the university received a 2024 letter alleging he assaulted a former Fairfield player in 1998.
October 2024 emails show SJSU acknowledged the complaint and apologized to the former player, yet Kress remained in his job and was not suspended.
June 22 brought another flashpoint when SJSU denied a public-records request for the complaint letter and follow-up emails, saying California privacy exemptions outweighed what it called minimal public interest.
Nancy Hogshead amplified the criticism by linking the allegations to broader sex-discrimination concerns around SJSU's volleyball program, already under scrutiny during its transgender-athlete controversy and a federal Title IX lawsuit.
Neither Kress nor SJSU officials had responded to press questions by publication, and Fairfield said it would not comment on personnel matters.
Amidst federal probes and decades-old abuse claims, why does SJSU's volleyball coach remain in charge?
With a history of scandals, is SJSU's athletic department prioritizing its reputation over athlete safety?
40 Federal Investigations, 1 Lawsuit: San José State Volleyball at the Center of the National Transgender Athlete Policy Battle (2024–2026)
Overview
Federal scrutiny over transgender athlete policies has intensified, leading to at least 40 civil rights investigations during the Trump administration’s second term. San José State University became a national focal point after its women’s volleyball team faced disrupted seasons and legal battles over conference rules allowing transgender athletes to compete. Despite a conference investigation finding no wrongdoing, the university and the California State University system escalated the issue by suing the U.S. Department of Education, defending their policies and institutional integrity. This legal showdown is shaping national debates on fairness, safety, and Title IX, with outcomes likely to influence future policies across collegiate sports.