PHILADELPHIA (April 3, 2001) - Stephanie Gaitley, head women's basketball coach at Saint Joseph's since 1991, will not return to the university. A national search for her successor will begin immediately. "Stephanie Gaitley is a highly talented coach and person who has given Saint Joseph's many years of excellent service," stated Dr. Linda Lelii, vice president for student life and academic development as well as the senior university administrator with respect to intercollegiate athletics. "Yet as much as we respect her contributions and regret having to make this decision, it is in the best interests of the university and its women's basketball program that we move in a new direction." No decisions have been made regarding the current assistant coaches, including interim coach Reggi Grennan, who was moved into that position when Mrs. Gaitley was placed on paid leave in January. Don DiJulia, assistant vice president/director of athletics, will lead the search for a new head coach. Mrs. Gaitley and a former staff member are named in a complaint against the university filed by a student-athlete with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. The university has yet to appear before the commission in that matter, nor have there been any findings against Mrs. Gaitley. "We understand how difficult this has been for Stephanie," Dr. Lelii added. "The university also has a responsibility to team members and those connected to the women's basketball program to move beyond what has been an equally difficult time for them. Our determination is that a change in leadership is necessary for everyone involved." University policy prohibits comment on the pending civil matter. University policy and federal law require confidentiality with regard to internal review proceedings related to the Human Relations Commission complaint. "All of us at Saint Joseph's wish this could have ended differently," concluded Rev. Nicholas S. Rashford, S.J., university president. "I met with Stephanie personally to hear her concerns. We wish her and her family well in the years ahead."