[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 133 (Thursday, July 29, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E850]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF JOSEPH COSTELLO ON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE LUZERNE 
                       COUNTY SPORTS HALL OF FAME

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 29, 2021

  Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor former athlete, 
coach, and Northeastern Pennsylvania native Joseph Costello. Joseph 
will be inducted into the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame in 2021 
for his distinct athletic and coaching achievements in the sport of 
track and field. He and his fellow inductees will be honored at a 
reception on August 8, 2021.
  Each year, the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame honors those who 
have brought fame and recognition to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 
through their outstanding achievements and contributions in athletic 
endeavors.
  Joseph was a standout athlete in football and track and field at West 
Pittston High School from 1957 to 1961. He was a two-time PIAA District 
II champion in the shotput. Joseph continued his academic career at the 
University of Scranton where he earned an undergraduate degree in 
education and a master's degree in administration. In 1966, he began 
his teaching, coaching, and administrative career at Pittston Area High 
School.
  In 1970, Joseph founded the Pittston Area track and field program, 
beginning his legendary coaching career. He developed and built the 
program on the foundation of measured and thoughtful coaching while 
fostering a strong feeder system which resulted in hundreds of students 
participating in the program under his leadership. In the late 1970s 
and early 1980s, the Pittston Area Patriots dominated regional track 
and field. Between 1980 and 1983, the team won 55 consecutive meets, 
four consecutive Wyoming Valley Conference (WVC) League championships, 
four consecutive PIAA District II championships, and four Jordan Relay 
titles, in addition to setting district records and winning state 
medals. In 1983, the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader named him the first WVC 
Track Coach of the Year.
  Some of the impressive records set by Joseph's athletes still stand 
today in PIAA District II, nearly four decades later. The Pittston Area 
4 x 400 relay record of 3:23.44 set in 1981 by state medalists Ed 
Zaleski, Al Michalec, Vince O'Boyle, and Jack Goldowski still stands, 
as does the District II record in the 400 of 48.74 seconds set in 1982 
by state medalist Vince O'Boyle and the District II 4 x 800 relay 
record of 8:00.84 set in 1981 by Mike Lombardo, Jay Loughney, Joe 
Bannon, and Bruce Marancik. Many of Joseph's star athletes went on to 
have impressive collegiate careers at institutions such as East 
Stroudsburg University, Bucknell University, and Indiana University of 
Pennsylvania.
  In 1983, Joseph retired from coaching to serve as the assistant 
principal of Pittston Area High School, and in 1992, he was named 
principal, a position he held until his retirement in 1998. The effects 
of Joseph's coaching were felt in the years after his retirement during 
the 1984 and 1985 seasons as the Patriots went on to win 86 consecutive 
regular season WVC meets and six consecutive WVC and PIAA District II 
titles.
  It is an honor to recognize Joseph on his induction into the Luzerne 
County Sports Hall of Fame. May his story and coaching career serve as 
an inspiration to the next generation of Pennsylvania athletes and 
coaches striving for excellence.

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