Neumann-Goretti coach steps down

Less than a month before the high school basketball season tips off, the reigning Catholic League girls' champions are without a coach.

Neumann-Goretti's Letty Santarelli resigned on Friday morning, athletic director Charles Szydlik said. He declined to comment when asked why Santarelli resigned.

Santarelli could not be reached for comment.

Robert Coleman, executive director of PIAA's District 12, said last week that the program was under investigation by the archdiocese, which was looking into the awarding of athletic scholarships.

The investigation began last spring and is ongoing, a source said. Athletic scholarships are against PIAA rules.

Archdiocese spokesman Ken Gavin wrote in an e-mail that the school was grateful for Santarelli's service and will begin looking for her successor.

"If there were concerns regarding wrongdoing on the part of anyone connected with the school, they would be appropriately investigated. However, there is nothing to report in that regard," Gavin said.

Santarelli was named the Saints' head coach in 2012. Last season's Catholic League title was their first championship in 36 years.

Last season also marked the first time since 1968 that the same school won both the girls' and boys' crowns in the league. The Neumann-Goretti girls won 29 straight games before falling in the state final.

Santarelli attended Cardinal O'Hara and was a Division II All-American for Immaculata in 1986.