By Ian Begley
New York Daily News
January 5, 2009
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/high_school/2009/01/05/2009-01-05_christ_the_king_mulls_how_to_deal_with_f.html
 |
| Christ the King officials are trying to figure out whether to let Bob Oliva attend games |
Christ the King's principal will huddle with the school's board of trustees to discuss whether former boys basketball coach Bob Oliva, who is stepping down amid allegations of sexual abuse, will be allowed to return to the school to watch basketball games.
"I plan to speak to the board of trustees to see what the status is with this whole situation and what we do - if anything - from this point on," Peter Mannarino told the Daily News Monday.
"We have to be fair to the students, but these are still unproven allegations, so you have to be fair to the man also," Mannarino added. "Whether he wants to come and watch games under these circumstances, I just don't know."
Thomas Ognibene, a former city councilman who serves on the CK board of trustees, said he didn't see any reason to ban Oliva from attending basketball games at the Queens high school.
"There's no evidence of any wrongdoing against him at this point," said Ognibene, who hadn't spoken to the principal about Oliva. "I don't see any problem with him coming back and watching basketball games at all."
The News reported Monday that Oliva, who has coached the Royals for 27 years, plans to retire this week. Oliva has been on a leave of absence since the team began practicing on Nov.1 because of a heart ailment he believes was aggravated by the abuse allegations.
Oliva told school administrators in April that he had received a letter from a Florida law firm representing longtime family friend Jimmy Carlino. The letter, signed by attorney David R. Ristoff, accused Oliva of sexual abuse 30 years ago and demanded $750,000 and Oliva's resignation from the school.
Oliva has denied the allegation.
Christ the King athletic director Joe Arbitello has coached the team in Oliva's absence and will do so for the rest of the season.
The Royals, the No.2 team in the most recent Daily News power rankings, are 9-1 this season.
Neither Arbitello nor Mannarino had received word from Oliva regarding his resignation as of Monday, though the longtime coach told The News on Sunday night that he was done.
"I'm going to walk away from the program," Oliva said. "It is a terrible way to go out."
Given the former coach's recent medical ailments, Royals senior guard Sean Johnson said he wasn't surprised that Oliva, 64, was stepping down. Johnson didn't think Oliva's resignation had anything to do with the allegations of sexual abuse.
"I don't think he did that at all," Johnson said. "I would play for him again."
Oliva said he posted a 549-181 record and five city championships in his 27 seasons at the Royals' helm. He's sent scores of players to Division I schools and a few - including Lakers forward Lamar Odom, Hawks guard Speedy Claxton and former Nets center Jayson Williams - have played in the NBA.
"I'm sorry to see Bobby give it up," All Hallows boys basketball coach John Carey said. "Obviously, he has to take care of his health. He's been terrific for Christ the King and a great representative of the league."
Carey said he would welcome Oliva to games at All Hallows, as did another CHSAA coaching legend.
"It's his privilege to come and watch a game," said Molloy coach Jack Curran.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.