BCSP Notes . . .

DSU President Allen L. Sessoms said that Costello is taking over the helm of an athletics department that has already made significant progress in fulfilling the ambitious vision established by the University almost four years ago for its intercollegiate sports programs.

"Under outgoing AD Chuck Bell's leadership, the University has upgraded its Alumni Stadium, moved towards greater gender equity by establishing a women's Equestrian team, expanded several coaching positions to full-time and hired new wrestling and bowling coaches, experienced the unprecedented successes of our men's and women's basketball teams and the improvement of other sports programs, as well as commenced the construction of a new strength and conditioning facility," Dr. Sessoms said. "The stellar career track record of Rick Costello gives us great faith that he will build on those accomplishments and lead DSU Athletics to new levels of excellence and achievements.

Costello brings extensive experience in collegiate sports finance and administration over the last ten years. At the University of South Florida, he served as the institution's first-ever chief financial officer/associate athletic director. In that capacity he provided leadership and administrative oversight for the strategic and fiscal management of the USF Athletics Department managing USF's $32 million athletic department budget, and also supervised and oversaw the areas of finance, human resources, information technology, ticket operations and facilities.

Under Costello's business and finance leadership, the USF Athletic Department has had four consecutive balanced budgets. He also completed negotiations with the Big East Conference, International Sports Properties/ESPN (a 10-year deal, $22 million contract), Tampa Sports Authority, Golf Strategies, Ticketmaster, XOS Technology, Action Sports, and other contract entities. He also finalized the construction of the school's $18 million Athletics Training Center.

Costello also chaired the bowl committees that directed USF's initial postseason appearance in the 2005 Meineke Car Care Bowl in Charlotte, N.C. and later the 2006 Papa John's Bowl in Birmingham, Alabama. He also supervised US''s women's and men's golf teams, men's tennis, as well as the women's tennis team (the 2007 Big East Champion _ a first in USF history).

Doug Woolard, USF director of athletics, said that DSU is getting an outstanding administrator in Rick Costello.

"He has a far-ranging breadth of knowledge on building an environment that will lead to success for Delaware State's student-athletes, both academically and athletically," Mr. Woolard said. "Rick has a strong commitment to maximize the student-athlete experience. Delaware State is very fortunate to have him lead their athletics department."

Prior to his USF tenure, Costello served from 2001-2003 as the athletic director for business operations at San Jose State University, where he was responsible for that athletics department's fiscal and business affairs. From 1997 to 2001 he worked as a senior budget analyst at Lehigh University, where he also served as an assistant coach of men's basketball from 1991-1994.

Outgoing DSU Athletics Director Chuck Bell, who the new AD worked under at San Jose State, said he has been impressed with Costello for 10 years and has watched him develop into one of the outstanding young administrators in collegiate athletics.

"He was integral in our successes at San Jose State; he has been instrumental in the University of South Florida's move into the Big East Conference and the development of new facilities there," Bell said. "DSU is fortunate to be able to attract Rick and his lovely family to this institution."

A native of Philadelphia, Costello has a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Muhlenberg College, cum laude, and earned a Master of Business Administration from Lehigh University. Mr. Costello comes to Delaware with his wife Amy, and their three children _ Kelsea, 9 Lauren 6, and Ryan 4. Costello officially takes over as DSU athletics director on July 23.

World Bowl XV
The Hamburg Sea Devils will meet the Frankfurt Galaxy in World Bowl XV, the championship game of NFL Europa Friday in Frankfurt. The game will be carried live on the NFL Network. Both teams finished the year with 7-3 records.

It will be the Sea Devils' first appearance in the championship game while Frankfurt will be making its record eighth appearance. The Galaxy have won four titles.

The Galaxy have four former black college players, more than any other team in the league, and includes former Tennessee State DB Jamar Landr0m. Former outstanding Delaware State defensive end Kenny Kern is the lone black college player on the Sea Devils' roster.

Notes from around the league.

BERLIN THUNDER

QB BRUCE EUGENE (Grambling State, Tampa Bay Buccaneers) made his first start of the season last week and completed 15 of 30 passes for 176 yards and 1 interception. Carried 7 times for 46 yards and 1 touchdown. Has thrown for 242 yards and 2 interceptions on the season . . . DE WALTER CURRY (Albany State, Jacksonville Jaguars) has registered 26 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble and 3 pass defenses in 2007. . . PK ANDREW JACAS (Fort Valley State) has hit on seven of 13 field goal attempts including a 56-yarder and has hit all nine his PAT attempts.

WR HARRY WILLIAMS (Tuskegee, Houston Texans) caught two passes for 30 yards last week and has 12 catches for 168 yards and two touchdowns on the season.

S JAMAR LANDROM (Tennessee State, Jacksonville Jaguars) has recorded 36 tackles to rank third on Frankfurt's defense this season.

RB CHARLES ANTHONY (Tennessee State) rushed for 79 yards on 16 carries last week and has 134 and 1 touchdown on 30 attempts this season.

© 2007 Azeez Communications, Inc.

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