Shipley coach accused of train station sex with student

A former squash coach at the private Shipley School in Bryn Mawr is facing a preliminary hearing Thursday on charges that he had a sexual relationship with an underage female student.

James Civello, 50, of the first block of Rock Ridge Road, Upper Black Eddy, had numerous sexual encounters with the 16-year-old, starting on April 7 at the Bryn Mawr Guest Suites on Morton Road, according to Lower Merion Township police.

Later, Civello had sex with the girl at the Haverford Train Station and "four to five times" at the student's home in Lower Merion Township, according to an affidavit of probable cause.

In the criminal complaint, Lower Merion detective Christine Koniecznyn wrote that the girl had described Civello as "a mentor."

The encounters ended on July 5, when the student and her parents lodged a complaint against Civello. He was charged two days later with corruption of a minor under the age of 18, and endangering the welfare of a child. It was unknown if Civello had retained an attorney.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of seven to 14 years behind bars. He is being held at the Montgomery County prison in lieu of $100,000 cash bail.

A preliminary hearing is set for 10 a.m. Thursday before Magisterial District Justice Kathleen M. Valentine in Ardmore.

Sue Manix, Shipley's director of marketing and communications, confirmed in an email that Civello was employed by the school, but that "he is no longer an employee as of 7/3/2011. We have no further comment."

Civello is mentioned on the school's website as a tennis coach, and also as coach for the 2009-2010 girls' squash team that captured the U.S. High School National Division III Championship.

He was "looking to build on the momentum" when he agreed to help coach the team in 2010-2011, the website says. "Coach Jim Civello, in his second season with the squad, is excited about the enthusiasm and unity the young veteran group displayed in the preseason."

Shipley is a coed day school for students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12.