Stephanie Gaitley gives a thumbs-up when she was head coach at Fordham University. (Photo courtesy of FordhamSports.com)
By MADDY VITALE
OCEAN CITY – She’s a local legend. She’s a girls basketball coach who had a storied career playing college ball to advance to the NCAA Final Four in 1982. Stephanie Gaitley went on to teach other players skills on the court to win championships at top colleges.
And now, after 11 seasons coaching Fordham University’s women’s basketball team, she is coming back to her hometown to lift up the Ocean City High School Red Raiders girls basketball team after a troubled couple of seasons, where players and parents accused the former head coach of bullying tactics in a matter that divided the community.
On Wednesday night, the Ocean City Board of Education approved Gaitley’s hiring during a tumultuous meeting that included a debate over changes to state standards that involve education on sex and gender. That debate overshadowed the triumphant successful college coach’s hiring.
Gaitley, 62, who is a member of the well known Vanderslice family in Ocean City, will receive a $6,807 stipend in the appointment, which is pending approval of the Interim Executive County Superintendent.
Before she began her coaching career, Gaitley played her first year of college basketball at the University of Delaware. The following three years of her college career, she played for Villanova University. The team won three Big Five championships and went on to the NCAA Final Four in 1982.
At OCHS, she was a standout from 1974-78 in rebounding and scoring.
In May, the BOE responded to allegations that then-girls basketball coach Michael Cappelletti mistreated the players by not renewing his contract. Critics said he called his players names and was harshly critical. Throughout the controversy over the coach, the Ocean City Education Association, the union representing teachers, supported Cappelletti.
On Wednesday night, among the speakers in support of hiring Gaitley as the new coach, were members of the girls Red Raiders basketball team.
Red Raiders basketball player Avery Jackson speaks out in support of hiring Coach Gaitley with teammates from left, Madelyn Adamson, Victoria Vliet and McKenna Chisholm.
Avery Jackson spoke on behalf of her friends and fellow basketball players for OCHS, Madelyn Adamson, Victoria Vliet and McKenna Chisholm.
“Board members, please hire Coach Gaitley,” Avery said, as she and her friends stood before the board. “She is a very talented and experienced basketball coach.”
Members of the community, including Madelyn Adamson’s mother, Jill Adamson, also spoke. Jill Adamson has been an outspoken parent over the coach, pleading with the board not to renew Cappelletti’s contract for his alleged mistreatment of the players.
“We are here despite a tumultuous time for many months,” Adamson told the board. “These strong girls are ready to move forward.”
Adamson then thanked the new Superintendent of Schools Matthew Friedman for his support of the new coach and for the district helping to “ensure the rich legacy of the basketball program.”
“We look forward to the future,” she said.
Gaitley was not present for the meeting. However, her brother, Harry Vanderslice, of Ocean City, was. His voice was choked with emotion when he spoke of how special his sister is. “She has a good heart,” he said, adding that she will make a fine coach.
Harry Vanderslice thanks the board for choosing his sister for the coaching position.
