Delaware State News
DOVER — Delaware State University Director of Athletics Rick Costello has agreed to take an administrative position with Rutgers, according to a posting on the New Jersey university’s Web site.
Costello will begin working with the university in November.
Following a national search, Rutgers’ Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Robert E. Mulcahy III and Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration Bruce C. Fehn announced the appointment of Costello as the school’s deputy director of athletics-finance and administration on Thursday.
Costello was unavailable for comment Thursday and Delaware State officials said they would not comment on the matter until Friday morning, when Costello will address the media.
Delaware State sent out an e-mail Thursday afternoon stating that the school will make a "major announcement" about DSU’s athletic department today at 10:30 a.m.
"Rutgers is the premier public research institution of New Jersey and possesses a world-class reputation for excellence," Costello said on Rutgers’ Web site report. "I relish the opportunity to contribute to the dynamic athletics program at Rutgers."
Costello has spent 14 months as Delaware State’s director of athletics. He was appointed in July 2007 by former president Dr. Allen L. Sessoms, who announced he was leaving the university in August.
Costello replaced Chuck Bell at Delaware State after coming over from the University of South Florida, where he was associate athletic director and chief financial officer.
At Delaware State, Costello directed the construction and operation of the $8.5 million strength and conditioning center and a $400,000 academic enrichment center which opened last fall.
In his new position at Rutgers, Costello will oversee all day-to-day administrative operations in the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics, including athletic financial matters, budget preparation and management, contract administration and athletic financial aid administration among others.
Rutgers President Richard L. McCormick said in a news release that Costello "brings an impressive background in finance, budget planning and management of intercollegiate athletics to this very important position.’’
His position at Rutgers is a new one, created following intense scrutiny over the cost of its football stadium expansion and disclosures about the compensation package for football coach Greg Schiano.
Schiano, whose contract this year is worth $1.6 million, gets an additional $250,000 per year from Nelligan Sports Marketing, a firm the university hired in 2000 to market the athletic program. The payment is guaranteed by Rutgers if sponsorships don’t cover it.
Costello will reportedly earn an annual salary of $195,000. Costello will also receive a temporary housing allowance up to a total of $15,000 over eight months. In addition, he will receive an annual automobile stipend of $12,000.
Rutgers spokesman Greg Trevor said Costello’s salary is similar to what he was making at Delaware State.
