RELEASE DATE: 10/1/04

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MANSFIELD UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME GROWS TO 110 MEMBERS – JOHN MICHAEL COOK, TOM COSTELLO, CARL LINDQUIST AND DUANE MacDONALD TO BE ENSHIRED THIS FRIDAY – JAMES PLATT ENTERS LEGENDS CATEGORY

MANSFIELD – The Mansfield University Alumni/Athletic Hall of Fame will hold its 22^nd induction ceremony this Friday evening in Manser North Dining Hall.

John Michael Cook ’95, Tom Costello, Carl Lindquist ’41, and Duane MacDonald ’91 will be enshrined. James Platt from the Class of 1898 will be inducted into the Legends Category.

John Michael Cook was a two-time All-American catcher, playing on three of the most successful teams in school history. Mansfield won three Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) championships and made two NCAA Division II World Series appearances during his career. 

Tom Costello had a long and distinguished career at Mansfield as a coach and administrator. He served as an assistant football coach under head coaches Ed Smelack (1959-61), Robert “Tut” Moore (1961-66), Rod Kelchner (1966-68) and Joe Bottiglieri, while also serving as an assistant baseball coach to Dr. John Heaps. Costello was also a successful head women’s basketball and softball coach at Mansfield and served the University in many roles including interim president.

Carl Lindquist was a native of Morris Run, PA and a stellar baseball player at Mansfield before signing a professional contract with the Boston Braves in 1940. He made his first professional appearance with the Elmira Pioneers that season. He appeared in the Major Leagues with the Braves in 1943 and 1944 as part of his 12 year professional baseball career. He is one of six Mountaineers to appear in the Major Leagues.

Duane MacDonald was a four-year starter on the gridiron for the Mountaineers and three-time All-PSAC East selection. At the time of his graduation, MacDonald was the PSAC all-time leading pass catcher with 177 career receptions.

James Platt becomes the 27^th member of the Legends Category established in 1992 to honor players who performed for the Mountaineers prior to 1927 when the institution was known as Mansfield State Normal School. Platt played for the undefeated Mountaineer teams of 1896 and 1897 at fullback before going on to star for Lafayette College.

The Hall of Fame is the highest award Mansfield University can bestow on a member of its athletic programs. It honors not only their athletic achievement, but recognizes the impact hey have had on the lives of their families, teammates and friends.

Mansfield University

Athletic/Alumni Hall of Fame

Class of 2004

John Michael Cook, Class of 1995

A three-year starter at catcher after transferring to Mansfield University from Florida State, John Michael Cook was a two-time ABCA Division II All-American and played on some of the most successful teams in school history.

Cook earned First Team All-PSAC East honors in each of his three seasons at Mansfield and was a First Team All-American selection in 1994 while earning Second Team All-American Honors in 1995.

In 1995, Cook set a new Mansfield University and PSAC record with 20 home runs. He was fourth in the nation in home runs and slugging percentage that season. Cook ranks second in school history in career RBI’s (164) and third in home runs (37). He held 10 different school or PSAC records when his collegiate career ended in 1995.

Cook played on three PSAC Championship teams (1993, 1994, and 1995) and made two appearances in the NCAA Division II World Series (1993, 1994). Mansfield finished with a combined record of 123-41 during his career. He played two seasons with the Houston Astros organization after graduation.

Tom Costello, Coach and Staff

For three decades Tom Costello roamed the sidelines of Mansfield University athletic fields. Costello served as an assistant football coach of the staffs of head coaches Ed Smelack (1959-61), Robert “Tut” Moore (1961-66), Rod Kelchner (1967-68) and Joe Bottiglieri (1978).

He was an assistant to head baseball coach Dr. John Heaps from 1970-76 before serving as head coach in 1977.

From 1979-82 Costello served as both the head women’s basketball coach and softball coach. He was the most successful women’s basketball coach in school history before being surpassed by current head coach Ruth Hermansen this season.

In addition, Costello was assistant athletic director from 1979-83, and later served as interim president of Mansfield University. Costello also served as dean of instruction, dean of students, dean of men and placement director during his Mansfield career.

Carl Lindquist, 1941

Carl Lindquist came from the coal mines of Morris Run, PA to Mansfield in 1938 and quickly became the star of the baseball program. A four-year starter in the outfield and on the mound for the Mountaineers, Lindquist was signed by the Boston Braves in the summer of 1940 and was assigned to Elmira .

A short three years later, Lindquist made the jump to the big leagues appearing as a pitcher for the Braves in September of 1943. He pitched for the Braves again in 1944 and played 12 years of professional baseball.

Lindquist passed away on Sept. 3, 2001 in Blossburg. He is one of six Mountaineers to play in the major leagues.

Duane MacDonald, Class of 1991

Duane MacDonald was a four-year starter for the Mountaineer football team and went on to become the leading receiver in the history of the PSAC before his career ended in 1990.

In 1989, MacDonald set a school record with 60 catches for 740 yards and eight touchdowns. He caught 59 passes for 762 yards and seven touchdowns in 1990.

MacDonald still holds the school records for career receptions (177) and reception yardage (2,497) and ranks second in touchdowns (24).

A three-time All-PSAC East selection, MacDonald was named to Second Team honors in 1988 and 1990 while earning First Team honors in 1989.

Legend

James Platt, Class of 1898

James Platt was the starting fullback for the undefeated 1896 and 1897 football teams. He was Mansfield’s leading rusher before graduating and going on to become a star player at national power Lafayette College.