Forming a team

One in a series of stories on the last independent year of St. John Neumann and St. Maria Goretti high schools.

There will be new uniforms and a new mascot. There could be many new coaches, and a new athletic director and an assistant already have been named.

It’s all part of the groundwork to help St. John Neumann’s Pirates and St. Maria Goretti’s Lambs morph into the Saints.

The two athletic programs will join forces, as will their schools, in September.

But the new leadership will be in place long before then.

Last Monday, Goretti basketball and softball coach Chip Reitano received word that he will be the new school’s assistant athletic director under director John Murawsky Jr.

Current Goretti athletic director George Bain, who will retire June 30, and Neumann athletic director Ed "Bubby" DiCamillo, who hopes to return as the Saints’ football coach, will remain in their respective roles through the end of the school year.

Murawsky, currently Neumann’s recruitment director, said he has long aspired to become an athletic director.

"Obviously, I am overjoyed," said the 1996 Neumann grad, who played football and basketball. "In the back of our minds, we know there is a big job ahead of us."

Reitano agreed that everyone involved faces an arduous transition.

"With the combination of both schools, it’s going to be a lot of work to get the new athletic program on its feet," said the 1982 Neumann grad.

The coach, of the 1700 block of South 28th Street, had been preparing for a shot at a more advanced position by studying with Bain over the past four years.

"It’s been a major asset to learn all the different things you don’t see as a coach," he said.

Even though Reitano is the new assistant athletic director, it doesn’t necessarily mean he will be back as the Saints girls’ basketball and softball coach.

All the coaches, teachers and administrators are required to reapply for their positions at the consolidated school, to be known as Ss. John Neumann and Maria Goretti Catholic High.

Reitano said he is planning to reapply for the girls’ basketball coaching post.

Catherine L. Rossi, director of communications for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, said the policy stems from the fact that Neumann-Goretti will be considered a new school.

"We believe that this is the most fair way to address the staff and coaching situation at a new school," Rossi said.

She made a distinction between the combination of Neumann and Goretti and other archdiocesan high schools that went from two to one.

For example, Bishop Egan, a boys’ school, and Bishop Conwell, a girls’ school, formed Conwell-Egan in 1993.

"That was viewed as a merger and not a consolidation. Neumann and Goretti are closing as separate schools. A brand-new school is being formed" and, therefore, qualifies as a consolidation, Rossi said.

That means DiCamillo, whose record at Neumann stands at 54-46-2, will have to reapply if he wants to stay on as the football coach. Carl Arrigale, who led the Pirates to back-to-back Catholic League titles in ’01 and ’02, will strive to remain the boys’ basketball coach.

If any coaches fail to return, that could mean some athletes will follow suit.

Still, Reitano believes the application process would benefit the students in the long run.

"Our main goal is that we are going to make sure the coach gives the most for the program and is the best fit for the kids," he said. "The kids will see what we’re trying to do is in their best interest."

Reitano and Murawsky will officially take over in July. One of their biggest tasks will be scheduling practices for all the athletic teams.

All the boys’ and girls’ basketball games will be played in the Neumann-Goretti gym. Some practices will held at the old Neumann building at 26th and Moore streets, and freshman squads will have access to the EOM athletic center at Front and Moore and the Tolentine Center, 1025 Mifflin St. The school will provide transportation for the teams.

Murawsky said the school is looking into building an indoor sports complex on the grounds in the next five to 10 years.

Before the new school opens, Bain is planning a special sendoff for the Goretti athletic program. The current athletic director wants to make sure two of the greatest athletes ever to wear a Lambs uniform are properly honored.

At the May 18 athletic banquet, Bain will retire the numbers of former First Team All-Catholic standout Adria Vitale and First Team All-Catholic softball star Stephanie Digneo. The alumnae helped Goretti achieve some of its most successful seasons.

Bain feels the ceremony will be a fitting way to close out his 16 years as Goretti’s athletic director and 38 years working for the archdiocese. Although he is leaving, he believes the Saints have a divine future.

"I think [the athletic program] will improve immensely, and I think it’ll work out great," he said.