Legendary Queens high-school boys basketball coach Bob Oliva was indicted on child-rape charges yesterday for an alleged attack that occurred 34 years ago in Boston, authorities announced yesterday.
The longtime coach of Christ the King Regional HS could face life in prison for two alleged attacks on a then-14-year-old family friend, Jimmy Carlino, during a trip to Boston to watch a Yankees-Red Sox doubleheader on July 31, 1976.
A second attack occurred the next day, prosecutors charged.
Oliva, 65, was also charged with disseminating pornography to a minor.
“For the first time in many months, I heard Jimmy Carlino breathe a sigh of relief,” said the Rev. Robert Hoatson, an advocate for clergy-abuse victims.
“He was so anxious, and it was affirming knowing that independent people from another state believed his story and handed down an indictment. It’s another step on his road to recovery,” Hoatson said.
Carlino alleged that Oliva repeatedly molested him throughout the late 1970s when he coached him in the St. Teresa of Avila basketball league in Queens.
For years, Oliva denied the allegations, but he resigned last year under the weight of the looming indictment, which he said was causing him heart problems.
He walked away from a storied 30-year career at Christ the King, where he led the team to four titles and compiled a 549-131 record.
He was regarded as one of New York City’s best high-school coaches and worked with future NBA players like Jayson Williams, Lamar Odom, Speedy Claxton and Derrick Phelps.
Oliva, of Lynbrook, LI, vowed to fight the charges.
“He looks forward to clearing his name — going before a jury and ultimately being acquitted,” said his defense attorney, Michael Doolin.
A former Christ the King student testified at Oliva’s grand-jury hearing that he, too, had been abused by Oliva, sources said.