Costello Law Office Blog

It was spring 1971 when recent college graduate Don Costello decided he would pursue an advanced degree. However, when he received a call from Don McCarty, University ofOregon Rowing coach, offering Costello the coaching position for the school's rowing program, his plans changed. Costello loved crew, having been a varsity team member at the University of California, Berkeley, one of rowing's powerhouse schools. He thought about the offer to coach rowing. In no other sport is concentration, timing, and teamwork at such a premium. He wanted to be a part of ti at Oregon and jumped in to lend a hand. As a new coach, he was passionate, knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and determined to build a strong rowing program. In 1972, Costello coached the varsity team to a 4-3 season. A head coach has many responsibilities, but he became "head everything." With very limited funds for the rowing program, he drove the team on a borrowed school bus to Dexter Lake at 5 a.m. for daily practice. However, Don was (and remains) a person who could and would make great things happen. He most certainly brought a huge amount of publicity that year. In the 1971 pre-season, Costello invited a female student to compete for a varsity coxswain position. This seemingly innocuous decision created a firestorm among Oregon's then Pac-8 rivals, who abhorred the idea of a female coxswain in a men's shell. Costello's former coach at Cal Berkeley was so outraged at what he perceived as disregard for rowing traditions, that for years, he refused to speak to Costello. Despite the backlash, Costello was undeterred and wicked smart. He consulted Base, a UO law professor and Oregon's Pac-8 faculty representative. B a s e researched NCAA rules, and he both affirmed and supported Costello's at-the-time radical decision. However, Coach Costello still faced the disdain of Pac-8 coaches, who refused to row against Oregon fi they had a "girl in the shell." This exceptional season demonstrated many things about him, both as a coach and a human being. He displayed bold thinking, a willingness to champion new ideas, to face down criticism, and stand by his principles of fair play. He refused to back down under the intense pressure from the traditional, elite world of college rowing. Ultimately, Costello demonstrated many characteristics of a superb leader: unshakable principles, courage of conviction, willingness to take calculated risks, commitment to fairness, a fantastic sense of humor, and the ability to lead a team through adversity to success. To the 1972 team and all teams that followed, these traits have been a positive influence on his students. Costello has also remained a constant support for the UO rowing program these past 52 years, contributing time and funds to ensure UO Rowing remains a strong, relevant sport. Recently, the University of Oregon Development Office notified the Friends of Oregon Rowing group that an anonymous Oregon Crew alum created a substantial estate bequest to be named for Don Costello. This gift wil support the UO rowing program in perpetuity. Of course, the current team and former rowers hope the donor lives a long and healthy life, and as such, the program may not see these funds for many years. tI is heartwarming and motivating to learn that Oregon Crew is such a priority for our alumni. For those Costello coached and mentored, it will be no surprise that alumni would bestow such an honor to such a deserving person. Coach Costello, congratulations on this well-deserved recognition. You are an inspiration to us all! - By Victoria Brown Lindsey. 1972 Oregon Rowing team member and the "girl in the shell"