MIKE COSTELLO CLASS OF '01 YEAR OF INDUCTION: 2014 Mike Costello was dominating in both football and baseball and was part of many championship teams at Steinert. On the baseball diamond Mike was a force to be reckoned with. His combination of power and speed was impressive to watch, from hitting mammoth homeruns to beating out groundballs to second base for base hits. The teams Mike played for from 1999-2001 went a combined 87-9, winning three CVC championships, three Central Jersey Championships, a Mercer County Title in 2001, and two Group IV State Championships in 1999 and 2000. Statistically, Mike is currently still 6th all-time in On Base Percentage at .428, fourth in Slugging Percentage at .657, and second in homeruns with eight. In 2001 he garnered All-Conference, All-Area, and All- State recognition. "Playing baseball at Steinert was a special experience for me," he said. "Playing for a team known year in and year out as one of the premier programs throughout the state was an honor, and I was just trying to do my part to continue the winning tradition." On the gridiron, Mike was just as impressive as a tight end. He holds career football records for touchdowns in a season with nine and receiving yards with 640. He played on the 8-2 2000 team under Coach Frank Gatto which made school history by being the first team to play in a state playoff game. He was named All-Conference, All- County, and All-State that season while winning the Walt Wilkinson Award as the best varsity football player. He also represented the Spartans in the North/South New Jersey All-Star game at Rutgers University. "Steinert football has taught me about becoming a family," he said. "As important as winning is, it is the relationships that I built with my teammates that will remain with me throughout my life." After Steinert, Mike played football at Temple University from 2001-2003, New Haven University in 2003-2004, and finished at Kutztown University from 2004-2006. He was the Offensive Coordinator for the 2011 Steinert Football Team that won the school's first ever playoff game and earned a state championship appearance at Rutgers University. Currently, Mike is a History teacher at Hamilton West High School and is the Offensive Coordinator for the football team and the Junior Varsity Baseball Coach. RETURN TO THE HALL OF FAME MEMBERS PAGE