Costello is new AD
Moderators: rtb, kmax, SonomaCat
- Hawks86
- Golden Bobcat
- Posts: 10609
- Joined: Sat Jan 06, 2007 3:27 pm
- Location: MT
Costello is new AD
https://twitter.com/pgabriel15/status/730166769181175808
https://twitter.com/pgabriel15/status/730168125094809600
"I'm a Bobcat forever its in my soul..."
-
- Member # Retired
- Posts: 2657
- Joined: Fri Nov 08, 2013 11:34 am
- Hawks86
- Golden Bobcat
- Posts: 10609
- Joined: Sat Jan 06, 2007 3:27 pm
- Location: MT
- tampa_griz
- Golden Bobcat
- Posts: 5467
- Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2005 1:37 pm
- Location: St. Petersburg, FL
-
- Golden Bobcat
- Posts: 4415
- Joined: Thu Jan 20, 2011 1:11 am
Re: Costello is new AD
I like his experience at a similar sized school and ability to raise funds in freaking South Dakota.
-
- BobcatNation Redshirt
- Posts: 36
- Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2007 2:20 pm
Re: Costello is new AD
BREAKING NEWS: LEON COSTELLO TO LEAD MSU ATHLETICS
Montana State University has received a verbal commitment from Leon Costello, current deputy director of athletics at South Dakota State University, to serve as MSU’s next Athletics Director.
“Everything happens for a reason and today the reason is Leon Costello,” said MSU President Waded Cruzado. “Leon was a very strong candidate in our finalists’ pool and today he has shown his leadership, strength and commitment to Montana State University.”
“Leon has an incredible track-record of success in a land-grant institution. He cares passionately about the student-athletes and is a collaborative leader who will inspire coaches, staff, alumni and fans,” Cruzado said of the decision.
“Leon has been instrumental in bringing the community together to build athletic facilities that have strengthened the university’s mission. He has infused a sense of enthusiasm and hope in the future. We know he will do the same at Montana State University,” Cruzado said.
Costello will start no later than July 1. His salary will be $185,000 per year.
In his role as a deputy director at South Dakota State University, Costello oversees the day-to-day operations of the athletic department and directs the implementation of the five-year strategic plan. To date, he has worked on all facets of the Sanford-Jackrabbit Athletic Complex and Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium; including planning, design, fundraising and premium seating sales. He has been at South Dakota State since 2010 and was promoted to deputy director in July 2014.
Costello also manages the athletic marketing, broadcast services, development, sports information and ticket operations in the athletic department, and serves as the department liaison for Under Armour and Jackrabbit Sports Properties, a division of Learfield Sports.
Additionally, he is the sport supervisor for the Jackrabbits volleyball, men’s basketball and wrestling teams. In his time at SDSU, Costello led the development and implementation of plans that resulted in record revenues, with significant increases in ticket sales, annual giving and sponsorships. On the fundraising front, he assisted in raising more than $57 million since 2012 for capital projects, including both the Sanford-Jackrabbit Athletic Complex, which opened in fall 2014, and for Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium, which opens in fall 2016.
Costello also played a lead role in the restructuring of the Jackrabbit Athletic Scholarship Auction, which resulted in an increase of more than 500 percent of total dollars raised and negotiated the department’s 10-year, multimillion dollar agreement with Learfield Sports. Before joining the Jackrabbits, Costello worked in a variety of roles for the Northern Iowa Athletic Department in his eight years on staff. From July 2008 until the end of his tenure at UNI, he served as the associate athletic director for external relations and from 2005-08, Costello served as the assistant athletic director for marketing and promotions.
A native of Fairbank, Iowa, Costello graduated from Loras College with a bachelor’s degree in physical education and sport science in 1998. While at Loras, he also played for the Duhawk men’s basketball team.
Costello completed his master’s degree from Western Illinois University in sport management in 2002 and earned a promotion to director of athletic marketing and promotions in January 2003.
He and his wife, Heather, currently live in Brookings with their daughter, Cailin, and sons, Michael and Griffin.
Contact: Tracy Ellig, executive director University Communications, 406-994-5607, tellig@montana.edu
Montana State University has received a verbal commitment from Leon Costello, current deputy director of athletics at South Dakota State University, to serve as MSU’s next Athletics Director.
“Everything happens for a reason and today the reason is Leon Costello,” said MSU President Waded Cruzado. “Leon was a very strong candidate in our finalists’ pool and today he has shown his leadership, strength and commitment to Montana State University.”
“Leon has an incredible track-record of success in a land-grant institution. He cares passionately about the student-athletes and is a collaborative leader who will inspire coaches, staff, alumni and fans,” Cruzado said of the decision.
“Leon has been instrumental in bringing the community together to build athletic facilities that have strengthened the university’s mission. He has infused a sense of enthusiasm and hope in the future. We know he will do the same at Montana State University,” Cruzado said.
Costello will start no later than July 1. His salary will be $185,000 per year.
In his role as a deputy director at South Dakota State University, Costello oversees the day-to-day operations of the athletic department and directs the implementation of the five-year strategic plan. To date, he has worked on all facets of the Sanford-Jackrabbit Athletic Complex and Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium; including planning, design, fundraising and premium seating sales. He has been at South Dakota State since 2010 and was promoted to deputy director in July 2014.
Costello also manages the athletic marketing, broadcast services, development, sports information and ticket operations in the athletic department, and serves as the department liaison for Under Armour and Jackrabbit Sports Properties, a division of Learfield Sports.
Additionally, he is the sport supervisor for the Jackrabbits volleyball, men’s basketball and wrestling teams. In his time at SDSU, Costello led the development and implementation of plans that resulted in record revenues, with significant increases in ticket sales, annual giving and sponsorships. On the fundraising front, he assisted in raising more than $57 million since 2012 for capital projects, including both the Sanford-Jackrabbit Athletic Complex, which opened in fall 2014, and for Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium, which opens in fall 2016.
Costello also played a lead role in the restructuring of the Jackrabbit Athletic Scholarship Auction, which resulted in an increase of more than 500 percent of total dollars raised and negotiated the department’s 10-year, multimillion dollar agreement with Learfield Sports. Before joining the Jackrabbits, Costello worked in a variety of roles for the Northern Iowa Athletic Department in his eight years on staff. From July 2008 until the end of his tenure at UNI, he served as the associate athletic director for external relations and from 2005-08, Costello served as the assistant athletic director for marketing and promotions.
A native of Fairbank, Iowa, Costello graduated from Loras College with a bachelor’s degree in physical education and sport science in 1998. While at Loras, he also played for the Duhawk men’s basketball team.
Costello completed his master’s degree from Western Illinois University in sport management in 2002 and earned a promotion to director of athletic marketing and promotions in January 2003.
He and his wife, Heather, currently live in Brookings with their daughter, Cailin, and sons, Michael and Griffin.
Contact: Tracy Ellig, executive director University Communications, 406-994-5607, tellig@montana.edu
- VimSince03
- Golden Bobcat
- Posts: 9442
- Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2014 5:43 pm
Re: Costello is new AD
"There's two times of year for me: Football season, and waiting for football season."
- VimSince03
- Golden Bobcat
- Posts: 9442
- Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2014 5:43 pm
Re: Costello is new AD
"There's two times of year for me: Football season, and waiting for football season."
- RobertCats
- Member # Retired
- Posts: 2045
- Joined: Thu Jul 31, 2014 4:08 pm
- Location: Conrad, MT
Re: Costello is new AD
He was the 1b. to my 1a. in Cooper! But, after Brennan debacle I am not sure I want another big school associate AD coming in and using us as a stepping stone or for leverage. Very excited about this hire, they are doing special things @ SDSU and he was right in the thick of it.
- CatBlitz
- Golden Bobcat
- Posts: 7589
- Joined: Sat Jan 29, 2011 11:27 pm
- Location: B Town
Re: Costello is new AD
I don't know who Matt Zimmer or Justin Snell are but I like the endorsement.VimSince03 wrote:https://twitter.com/argusmattz/status/730139562035580930
*Nm, Snell is their AD.
Last edited by CatBlitz on Tue May 10, 2016 6:43 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Don't let this distract you from the fact that the griz blew a 22-0 lead.
- wbtfg
- Golden Bobcat
- Posts: 13634
- Joined: Sat Apr 03, 2004 12:52 pm
Re: Costello is new AD
Im glad that process was sort and relatively painless. Welcome to Bozeman!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
- mslacatfan
- Golden Bobcat
- Posts: 6163
- Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2005 1:44 pm
Re: Costello is new AD
Welcome!
He has a tough act to follow... The last AD was awesome!
He has a tough act to follow... The last AD was awesome!
FTG- GO CATS GO!
- Pecos24
- BobcatNation Team Captain
- Posts: 622
- Joined: Wed Feb 15, 2006 4:05 pm
- Location: East Helena, MT
Re: Costello is new AD
Now that's funny. [emoji1]mslacatfan wrote:Welcome!
He has a tough act to follow... The last AD was awesome!
Hopefully we can get a couple weeks commitment out of this one...
Bill Zander
CS '93
AKA - "F'n sorry ass"
CS '93
AKA - "F'n sorry ass"
- BelgradeBobcat
- Golden Bobcat
- Posts: 8144
- Joined: Mon Mar 29, 2004 9:52 pm
- Location: Belgrade, Montana
Re: Costello is new AD
Brookings to Bozeman. Shouldn't be any culture shock issues like maybe SLC to Bozeman or Phoenix to Bozeman. I betting that this guy is going to be a good fit.
- MSU Toddler
- 1st Team All-BobcatNation
- Posts: 1864
- Joined: Sun Sep 11, 2005 11:19 am
- Location: Helena, MT
Re: Costello is new AD
Someone buy him a house in Bozeman!
Never argue with an idiot. They bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.
-
- Golden Bobcat
- Posts: 9720
- Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2011 4:55 pm
- Location: Big Sky Country
- Contact:
Re: Costello is new AD
Here's the audio from the interview Parker Gabriel and I conducted with Costello while he was in Bozeman
http://skylinesportsmt.com/costello-new-msu-ad/
I will be completely honest...I thought Brennan would be the guy Cruzado would hire and I figured he would say no. When he said yes, I still saved the audio from Costello just in case...Glad I did. Hopefully the news stops now...
http://skylinesportsmt.com/costello-new-msu-ad/
I will be completely honest...I thought Brennan would be the guy Cruzado would hire and I figured he would say no. When he said yes, I still saved the audio from Costello just in case...Glad I did. Hopefully the news stops now...
TWITTER:@Skylinesportsmt
FACEBOOK
https://www.facebook.com/skylinesportsmt1
BIG SKY BREAKDOWN ON ITUNES
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/big ... 1131856462
SUBSCRIBE TO SKYLINE
https://skylinesportsmt.com/subscriptions/
https://www.facebook.com/skylinesportsmt1
BIG SKY BREAKDOWN ON ITUNES
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/big ... 1131856462
SUBSCRIBE TO SKYLINE
https://skylinesportsmt.com/subscriptions/
- CatBlitz
- Golden Bobcat
- Posts: 7589
- Joined: Sat Jan 29, 2011 11:27 pm
- Location: B Town
Re: Costello is new AD
Why did you think he would say no?Colter_Nuanez wrote:Here's the audio from the interview Parker Gabriel and I conducted with Costello while he was in Bozeman
http://skylinesportsmt.com/costello-new-msu-ad/
I will be completely honest...I thought Brennan would be the guy Cruzado would hire and I figured he would say no. When he said yes, I still saved the audio from Costello just in case...Glad I did. Hopefully the news stops now...
Don't let this distract you from the fact that the griz blew a 22-0 lead.
- Hawks86
- Golden Bobcat
- Posts: 10609
- Joined: Sat Jan 06, 2007 3:27 pm
- Location: MT
- luckyirishguy25
- Golden Bobcat
- Posts: 5524
- Joined: Fri Dec 03, 2010 7:59 pm
- Location: Seattle, WA
Re: Costello is new AD
I'm glad we didn't waste time, Costello is a solid candidate we're in good hands.
On a side note, as someone who hires people.... WTF is up with all the flakes these days?
On a side note, as someone who hires people.... WTF is up with all the flakes these days?
-
- 2nd Team All-BobcatNation
- Posts: 1319
- Joined: Fri Aug 05, 2005 3:04 pm