Pine-Richland HS Coach Charged With Having Sex With 16-Year-Old Player

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – A Pine-Richland High School basketball coach was arrested Friday afternoon for allegedly having sex with a 16-year-old female player.

Police say 33-year-old Cliff Foster, of Wexford, engaged in sexual acts with the teenage girl. He is the Head Varsity Basketball Coach at the school.

KDKA's Marty Griffin reports that at the Magistrate's Office, Foster told him: "I care about her. She's a great girl. I was dumb for a few nights on the road traveling with the team."

School officials had sent out a notice to parents earlier in the day saying the district, law enforcement and CYF were investigating the incident and that, "The district is shocked by the nature of the allegations." Click here to read the full letter from the superintendent.

They also say Foster has been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.

Police say Foster was also the teen's Amateur Athletic Union basketball coach during the summer. Police say the inappropriate relationship started in April and ended on Monday.

"Yesterday, it came to our attention that through CYF that there was an inappropriate relationship going on between a Pine-Richland student and the varsity girl's basketball coach," said Northern Regional Police Chief Robert Amman.

While being escorted away by police, Foster said to reporters: "I do feel bad. No comment at this time. I apologize to anybody that may be involved in this."

Foster is charged with institutional sexual assault and corruption of minors.

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