Chip Reitano is departing from 10th and Moore streets with a decade full of great memories.
When Chip Reitano held his first practice at Neumann-Goretti on November 14, 2000, he knew it was “the start of something special.”
A decade later, the girls’ basketball coach has plenty of great memories worth talking about, including his 125 career wins and six straight Catholic League playoff appearances — both of which are all-time marks for the program based at 10th and Moore streets.
But last week, Reitano decided to step down for personal reasons.
“This was the toughest decision I have ever made,” the coach, who finished with a mark of 125-113 said. “These girls are not just my players, they are my family.”
His final game on the sidelines came last February against St. Hubert’s in the playoffs. Although his Saints fell 50-42 in overtime, Reitano said he was pleased with the effort.
“It was one of the most intense and hard fought games that I have ever coached,” he said. “It showed the toughness of everyone of those girls, and it showed the coming out of a couple of players.”
The ’05-’06 season is when Neumann-Goretti really made its mark by advancing to the league title game. The Saints met Cardinal O’Hara — ranked No. 12 in the nation at the time.
Reitano, who was the Review’s ’04 Coach of the Year, recorded his 100th career win in Jan. ’08 against Hallahan.
As far as Reitano’s future in coaching, he said he would like to remain on the sidelines. The where and when is to be determined.
In other Neumann-Goretti news, the Saints baseball team has opened the season 6-0 and is ranked No. 19 nationally in the ESPN Rise Fab-50 poll.
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1. Anonymous said... on Apr 15, 2010 at 11:27AM
“There will not be another coach at that school who cares as much about the kids and the program as Coach Chip. It is a huge loss to the school and the students that attend there. He gave 110% . It was not just about basketball and wins and losses for him, but about the well-being and future of thte kids.”
2. Anonymous said... on Apr 15, 2010 at 01:34PM
“Coach Chip shuld be proud of what he did for those girls and for that school.”
3. Anonymous said... on Apr 15, 2010 at 01:36PM
“Coach Chip should be proud of what he did for those girls and for that school.”
4. Chris Reitano said... on Apr 15, 2010 at 04:36PM
“Coach Chip is my father and I also went to the school I've been around him and his team for the last 6 years and I can tell you as much as anyone that my dad cared about those kids more then anything in the world. He gave his all to make sure his players had a good future and that they got into college. But not only his team, my dad was very involved at school in general. All the students at Nuemann-Gorretti will tell you that my dad gave all that he could to that school. He bled black, white, and gold since the school opened and this wasn't an easy decision for him.”
5. John Mullen said... on Apr 16, 2010 at 10:10AM
“I just want to wish chip the best over the last 3 years it has been a honor to be at the scorers table for all his girls home games next year just will not be the same and who ever they get will have a huge spot to fill if they can do it at all.”
6. K said... on Apr 17, 2010 at 07:47AM
“I have seen many coaches in my time, but none who cared about their players such as Coach Reitano. There are lots of coaches who work hard and put in countless hours during the season, but Coach Reitano did it twelve monthe a year for those girls. That school has no idea what they are losing. Not just a coach, but a mentor and a protector. He looked upon those girls as his own children, and he treated them as such. My grandchild played for Coach Reitano and I wish him all the best.”
7. K said... on Apr 17, 2010 at 07:48AM
“I have seen many coaches in my time, but none who cared about their players such as Coach Reitano. There are lots of coaches who work hard and put in countless hours during the season, but Coach Reitano did it twelve monthe a year for those girls. That school has no idea what they are losing. Not just a coach, but a mentor and a protector. He looked upon those girls as his own children, and he treated them as such. My grandchild played for Coach Reitano and I wish him all the best.”