Cougs battle Eagles at home WSU football kicks off against EWU at 5 p.m. Saturday in Martin Stadium. Sports Weekend | Page B3 THE DAILY EVERGREENSHINING A LIGHT ON THE PALOUSE SINCE 1895 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2018 VOL. 125 NO. 20 CAMPUS SPORTS Letter to the editor from Jason Gesser By Jason Gesser Assistant Director of Athletics of Cougar Athletic Fund Throughout the last 20 years of my life, I have unwaveringly supported Washington State University as a WSU student- athlete, proud alumnus and now employee of the athletic depart- ment. So, I was very disheart- ened to read the story published in the Evergreen stemming from rumors and unfounded accusations regarding my pro- fessional conduct. While I am grateful that our institution fully investigates accusations of impropriety, I am disappointed that the unfounded complaints submitted to the Office for Equal Opportunity and the Office of Internal Audits have been made public, needlessly ABBY LINNENKOHL | THE DAILY EVERGREEN affecting individuals who don’t While telling the story of his life, Ryan Leaf, former WSU quarterback, describes the importance deserve public scrutiny and of being a better human than a football player Thursday evening in the Cougar Football Complex. criticism. The only thing I care about more deeply than WSU is my family and integrity. I want to clearly state that the allegations Leaf shares story with WSU athletes are not true. I am categori- cally opposed to harassment Former WSU quarterback In fact, Leaf had intended to come that require conquering on a daily basis. to Pullman to speak at WSU back in He was the quarterback who thought or sexism in the workplace or advises current students August. But he canceled. he had it all: money, power and prestige. society, and I am deeply com- to stay away from trouble “I was supposed to come talk to you And after being the second-overall draft mitted to my wife and chil- dren. The non-story published guys on Aug. 21,” Leaf said. “But I got pick in the 1998 NFL Draft and inking a by the Evergreen addresses By Jackson Gardner pissed off because they had a fundraiser $31 million contract with the San Diego Evergreen reporter accusations that were fully where they brought Cougars back, they Chargers, Leaf had a whole lot of good investigated by the University brought legends back to talk about the fortune ahead. and found to be without merit. t took a certain amount of courage Rose Bowl and stuff and a friend of mine However, these days Leaf has stripped for Ryan Leaf to return to his alma Tellingly, those quoted heavily texted me saying, ‘Dude I wish you were away the money, power and prestige in the article are not the women mater and speak to its student- here,’ and I wrote back, ‘I wasn’t f-cking he once put on a pedestal and traded it unfairly brought into this. I Iathletes like he did Thursday night. for accountability, spirituality and com- invited’ and I canceled.” will not allow my name to be Even though Leaf now speaks to stu- The text message is a testament that munity. unfairly smeared, and I will con- dent-athletes for a living, along with his Leaf to this day isn’t a perfect person, + Online: See the rest of the story tinue to passionately serve our commentary work for Pac-12 Networks, but now he will be the first to remind you on Ryan Leaf speaking to athletes University as a proud member trips to Pullman are a little different. that we all aren’t. He too still has demons online at dailyevergreen.com. of Cougar Nation. CAMPUS Evergreen findings contradict WSUstatement In interviews with women named in public As per standard practice, the As part of a separate audit of records as being involved with Office for Equal Opportunity Mr. Gesser’s travel receipts in his Gesser, two of them said they had records, two of them said OEO didn’t reach out shared its report with role as an Athletics Department not previously been contacted by Washington State University’s fundraiser, a $39.78 overcharge OEO officials in regard to alle- By Ian Smay seriously. A thorough review Evergreen reporter Office of Human Resource was identified. Mr. Gesser has gations against Gesser. We are was launched by the University’s Services. Human resources staff since reimbursed the University currently working to confirm a Office for Equal Opportunity worked with Director of Athletics for the full amount. third denial. WSU released the following once University administrators statement in response to the Pat Chun to directly address with If individuals have any infor- The Evergreen will continue became aware of allegations Mr. Gesser the issues raised in mation regarding allegations of to withhold the names of the Evergreen’s investigative piece against Mr. Gesser in December the report. misconduct by WSU employees, women mentioned in the public regarding sexual misconduct 2017. On multiple occasions, It is important to reiterate that they should call the Office for records in an effort to protect allegations against Jason Gesser. investigators interviewed or the University followed its estab- Equal Opportunity at 509-335- their identities and reputation. The statement, attributed attempted to interview all those lished procedures to review the 8288 or send email to oeo@wsu. As part of the investiga- to President Kirk Schulz and allegedly involved. Following a matter and found no violation of edu.” tion, the Evergreen requested Director of Athletics Patrick comprehensive evaluation of the Washington State University pol- However, this release directly all Human Resource Services Chun, is replicated in full below. information available, the Office icy. The allegations were taken contradicts information obtained documents related to the Gesser “We take any allegation of for Equal Opportunity found no seriously and addressed at the by the Evergreen. In interviews concerns. We have not received sexual misconduct extremely violation of University policy. appropriate level. with women named in the public those documents. In this issue: News | A3 Opinion | A4 Life | A5 News tip? Vehicles for players Kaepernick didn’t sacrifice Yarn Underground Contact news editor Local high schools to receive “Gators” to A multi-million dollar celebrity on a pedestal has hardly The Moscow business started in a basement and Rachel Sun “risked it all” as Nike proclaims in new ad campaign now hosts knitters both new and old. [email protected] transport injured athletes. (509) 335-2465 News | Page A3 Opinion | Page A4 Life | Page A5 PAGE A2 | FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2018 PAGE TWO DAILYEVERGREEN.COM Community Calendar Police log Wednesday Civil Calls N Grand Avenue, 1:22 p.m. Friday 9/14 Burglary, Intrusion Alarm Officer responded for the NW Greyhound Way, 6:07 a.m. request of a vehicle inspection. Enjoy a theatre whodunit with over 150 characters. Officers responded to an intrusion Performed by a cast of four, “The 39 Steps” is a Tony- alarm. Determined there was no intrusion. Abandoned Vehicle winning play that will be showing 7:30 p.m. today at the NE D Street, 2:18 p.m. Regional Theatre of the Palouse. Tickets are $14.99. Threatening Officer responded for the NW Darrow Street, 9:28 a.m. report of a possible abandoned vehicle and contacted the owner. Officer provided information to the reporting party regarding a threatening. Code Violations SE Jordan Road, 4:09 p.m. Parking Problem Officer responded to the report Friday 9/14 SW Elm Street & SW Walnut Street, 10:02 a.m. of overgrown vegetation and Officer responded to the report advised the Parks Department. Join specialists for free acupuncture and observation. of a potential parking problem and left a note for the owner. Animal Problems, Complaint The Nest Birth and Wellness will be showcasing NE Terre View Drive, 6:50 p.m. practices in acupuncture and Chinese medicine 6 p.m. Traffic Violation Officer responded to the report today. There will also be food and beverages available. Pullman, 10:32 a.m. of dogs being let off leash. Participants can schedule online through The Nest’s Officer contacted a driver after Facebook page. the report of reckless driving. Suspicious Person, Circumstance NE Spaulding Street, 10:59 p.m. Subject heard something hit the side Fraud To submit, email events to [email protected]. of her building. Officer responded and Preference will be given to events that are free and open to SW Capri Court, 12:31 p.m. determined there was no damage. the public or are hosted by an RSO, and must include time, Officer contacted the subject date and place. relating to fraudulent phone Thursday calls they have been receiving. Disorderly Conduct Animal Noise Complaint NE Spaulding Street, 1:04 a.m. NE Terre View Drive, 12:57 p.m. Officers responded to the report Officer responded to the report of of a subject yelling threatening a dog whining and warned the owner. things and slamming doors. 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