CLARKSON
ATHLETICS HALL of FAME

FRANCIS "FRAN" COSTELLO '39
Inaugural Class of 1992 Inductee

Fran Costello helped form the nucleus of Clarkson's basketball team in the late 1930s. A lanky 6-3, 174 pound forward, who possessed a deadly shot and clever ball-handling skills, Costello was the leading scorer for head coach Pete Dwyer's team for two seasons from 1936-38. After establishing a great record at Cathedral High School in Syracuse, Costello matriculated to Clarkson in January of 1935 and lost no time in showing the coaches his ability. He soon became a regular member of the starting five and emerged as the team's top threat the following two seasons, scoring 130 points during the 1936-37 campaign and 173 points in the 1937-38 season, averaging nearly 14 points a game as Clarkson posted a 12.3 record.

In the first half of the 1938-39 season under new head coach Hank Hodge, he served as team captain and continued his high scoring and masterful playmaking. On January 20, 1939, Costello brought to close one of the most brilliant college basketball careers at Clarkson. In his last game and one of his best, his play was a leading factor in the Hodgemen's 29-27 victory over highly favored St. Lawrence University. Before a crowd of 1,000 fans at the Brewer Field House court in Canton, Costello was the outstanding player of the game as he scored a team-high 11 points and set-up the winning basket with a perfect pass to Bob Dowling with just over one minute left to play.

Costello accumulated 434 points in his three-year career with Clarkson and averaged nearly 10 points a game. Following the completion of his varsity career, he served as head coach of Clarkson's freshman team and after leaving the college went on to a professional basketball career playing in Syracuse.

One of the more popular men on campus, Costello was crowned King of the 1939 Ice Carnival. An industrial engineering major, Costello was also a standout first baseman/pitcher for coach Hodge's baseball teams. The 1929 Clarkson Integrator called Costello "The King of the carnival, the leader on the court, and a prince of a fellow."

The Clarkson University Athletic Hall of Fame was founded to honor and perpetuate the memory of those individuals who, either through participation, support or interest have made outstanding contributions to Clarkson athletics, and who have helped to bring recognition, honor and distinction to the University. It is with great pride that Clarkson inducts Fran Costello into the Athletic Hall of Fame.

 

William O' Flaherty
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Hall of Fame Chairman
October 31, 1992