William Tanner
A&E Editor
Today the Saint Augustine Catholic Church held a memorial service for Coach Tony Costello. Surrounded by family, colleagues, friends and players past and present, Costello was remembered as a man who touched so many lives.
“Mr. Costello definitely impacted a lot of people,” said Jovante Evans, former player. “If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
Costello, always a coach, placed a major emphasis on family.
“Everywhere he went, he won and brought the family atmosphere,” said George Baljevich, former coach at the University of San Francisco. “His legacy will always be that he built that (LPC basketball) program up as a coach. He had Las Positas College as a family, as well as the basketball program.”
The community outreach to support Costello and his family was evident when Costello’s brother Ed spoke.
“His teammates turned over every rock and medical community,” Ed said. “The family and this community’s support was remarkable. Everyone was looking for a way.”
Even after dribbling out his clock, Costello is still inspiring his players to keep going.
“I’m trying to walk on at San Jose State right now, and he’s my motivation,” Evans said. “The young players who are playing for Las Positas this season, they’re pushing themselves for themselves, but also in his name.”
