PHILADELPHIA (January 21, 2001) - Saint Joseph's women's basketball coach Stephanie Gaitley is taking a paid leave of absence for the remainder of the 2000-01 season, university officials have announced. The leave is effective beginning with today's game against Xavier at Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse. Assistant Reggi Grennan will coach the Hawks (10-7) on an interim basis. "It is in the best interests of Saint Joseph's University and the women's basketball program that Stephanie take a leave of absence at this time," said SJU athletic director Don DiJulia. "Coach Gaitley was informed that, until the ongoing public complaint is resolved, it is best for everyone involved to take this step." Stephanie Gaitley and a former staff member are named in a complaint against the university filed before the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. The university has not yet responded to the complaint, nor have there been any findings against coach Gaitley. University policy prohibits comment on the pending civil matter. University policy and federal law require confidentiality with regard to the internal review proceeding which preceded the Human Relations Commission complaint. University officials will be available to the media at 11:15 a.m. today. This will be the only time today university media officials will make a public comment.