Bill Costigan, Sr. V39 Honored
Date Posted: May 21, 2010

May 19, 2010 was proclaimed as "Bill Costigan, Sr. V39 Day" not only at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, but throughout the city of Akron by proclamation of Mayor Don Plusquellic. This special presentation was a surprise for Bill Costigan, Sr., a graduate of St. Vincent High School Class of 1939. He was visibly touched by the warm welcome he received from STVM students, faculty, family, and friends as he entered the STVM gymnasium Wednesday afternoon. Bill Costigan, Sr. was even more surprised to see the Irish community donning white commemorative t-shirts emblazoned with his picture and the name and date of the occasion.

The Costigan family operated an office furniture and supply business in Akron for 115 years. In 1999, Bill Costigan, Sr. and his family generously donated money to raze three old buildings on N. Walnut Street. This property is now the site of the STVM Cosgrove Center which was dedicated on September 25, 2009. Bill Costigan, Sr. also allowed for continued expansion of the STVM campus through the sale of the three acre site of the former Costigan business to STVM.

During Wednesday's ceremony, Bill Costigan, Sr. learned that the former Costigan building at the corner of W. Market and N. Maple streets has been turned into a state-of-the-art baseball and softball training facility named in his honor. Following the ceremony, all invited guests enjoyed refreshments and received tours of the newly dedicated Bill Costigan, Sr. V39 STVM Baseball and Softball Training Facility. Joanne Zaratsian, STVM Director of Major Gifts, noted, " Bill Costigan, Sr. and his family truly embody the rich tradition that STVM is known for. It was a true honor to host this event."