UC Berkeley’s athletic department has referred an allegation of sexual harassment involving the football team to the campus’ Office for Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination.

A former student made the allegation Wednesday, posting detailed accusations on her public Facebook page. The woman, who said she worked last season for the football team’s sports medicine unit, opened her post with an alleged quote from an unnamed coach: “I will get you fired if you do not have sex with me.”

University spokespersons could not confirm whether the Office for Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination has opened an investigation. The office is the campus agency responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance with federal laws preventing discrimination and harassment.

The woman, who could not be reached for comment, is not being identified by The Chronicle because she may be a victim of sexual assault.

The university did not confirm the woman’s role with the football team, but responded to the allegations.

“We are aware of the very disturbing public allegations made on social media,” a statement released by Cal Athletics said. “These allegations go against the very core of our values.

“Cal Athletics is and will always be committed to fostering a culture where everyone feels safe, welcome and respected. All of those associated with the department are expected to maintain ethical standards at all times. We encourage anyone who is feeling distressed or troubled to contact the PATH to Care Center for confidential support, and other campus resources.”

Thursday morning, the university released a letter it said athletic director Jim Knowlton sent to Cal supporters.

“Let me be absolutely clear: we will lend our full moral and operational support to the campus inquiry into these allegations,” Knowlton wrote. “We will support the imposition of appropriate consequences as required by the outcome of that inquiry. We believe in a culture that fosters dignity and respect. The alleged actions run completely counter to the core values of Cal Athletics and our University.

“These allegations are surfacing in the midst of a concerted and ongoing effort across our department that began several years go to educate and engage our staff and student-athletes about preventing and responding to sexual harassment and violence. Through formal training sessions for coaches, staff and student-athletes, we have been clear and consistent about our refusal to tolerate this most egregious form of misconduct. If necessary, we will do more.”

According to the woman’s social media post, she has medically withdrawn from the university and is seeking “intensive therapy and psychiatry for the post traumatic stress syndrome and anxiety” she says she suffered after the alleged verbal and physically harassed. She said coaches and players stared at her during practice, sent “creepy” messages on social media and invited her to parties or to meet them in campus offices after hours or in a local hotel.

One coach, she wrote, “would corner me in the tunnel entrance to field, asking me deeply personal questions, like if I had a boyfriend and what my ‘type’ is. He would not leave me alone at practice, following me around to each drill, making remarks on how I looked that day. To no surprise, he found me on Instagram, and starting (sic) messaging me, for which then I blocked him. One day after practice, I realized he was following me home, as he was supposed to be going in the opposite direction, but was keeping a close pace behind me before he caught up to me outside my front door. He asked me what I was doing that weekend, and that we should go to the pool, because ‘I would look amazing in a bikini.’ This coach is still employed by Cal Football, just to make that clear.”

The woman also claims that another coach commented on a series of bathing suit photos posted to Instagram in an effort to start communication that continued into text messages and a midnight invitation to Memorial Stadium.

“I was under the influence, and not legally in a state of mind to be consenting to sex,” she said. “He snuck me into his office ... and he immediately grabbed for my waist. I was terrified, my mind was fuzzy, and I do not remember much from that night. He kept kissing me, pushing me against the wall, and I left.

“The next day, he cornered me at practice and said: ‘If you do not have sex with me, I will get you fired.’ ”

The student claims that her calls and emails to head football coach Justin Wilcox and Athletic Director Jim Knowlton have not been returned.

Wilcox could not be reached for comment. He has a previously scheduled meeting with the media Friday to discuss spring practices, but it’s unclear if he’ll address the woman’s allegations.

“While we can discuss our process for handling these matters, we generally cannot address any specific case,” Cal Athletics said in its statement. “Allegations of sexual violence and sexual harassment by campus employees are confidential unless officials determine policy is violated, and disciplinary action has been decided. Such allegations against students remain private regardless of the outcome, under UC policy and federal law regarding student records.”

Cal does not have a specific code of conduct for its athletic department, but is instructed to follow the university’s policies. The football team hosted rape survivor Brenda Tracy last season as part of a campus-wide effort to increase sexual violence awareness.

Rusty Simmons is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: rsimmons@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Rusty_SFChron