Former Shipley coach charged with 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 Rock Ridge Road, Upper Black Eddy, had numerous sexual encounters with the 16-year-old, starting 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, according to an affidavit of probable cause.

In the criminal complaint, Lower Merion Detective Christine Konieczny wrote that the girl described Civello as "a mentor."

The encounters ended July 5, when the student and her parents lodged a complaint against Civello. He was charged two days later with corruption of a minor and endangering the welfare of a child. It was unknown whether 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 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 e-mail that Civello had been employed by the school, but said 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 coach of the 2009-10 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 2010-11, 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 prekindergarten through grade 12.