After 25 years, W. Track coach steps down

By this time every year, there is a certain attitude that creeps up amongst Penn seniors. Destined to enter the real world in just a few short months, the four-year veterans feel justified in their somewhat arrogant, know-it-all attitudes.

But when it comes down to it, those seniors are just lightweights in the grand scheme of Penn tenures.

Yesterday, a stalwart in Penn athletics announced her official retirement.

After serving the Quakers track and cross country teams for 25 years, coach Betty Costanza decided that it was just time to move on.

"Its just been something I've been thinking about," Costanza said. "It wasn't easy, and it entailed many hours and lots of thoughtful consideration.

"I felt the time was right, the team is in a good place, with good leadership and good people. It was just time for me."

Costanza leaves the Red and Blue with an impressive record, including four Outdoor Heptagonal Championships, four Indoor Heps wins and one cross country championship.

In her tenure, six Penn athletes qualified for the NCAA championships, and more than 140 female track athletes claimed all-Ivy League honors.

Costanza's retirement comes as a disappointment and a surprise to her athletes, as well as her co-workers -- the Penn women's track team is having a very difficult time imaging life at Franklin Field without Costanza.

"It was surprising," Penn senior sprinter Jeraldine Cofie said. "We didn't expect it actually. It will definitely be different without her."

In 1976, Costanza began the varsity program with few athletes and little resources. Over the years, the Quakers have become daunting competitors in both the Ivy League and on the eastern seaboard.

"She is one of the great legends of our sport," assistant coach Tony Tenisci said. "We can never replace her. Everything that she has done here is really quite amazing. She fought for the evolution of women's sports."

Costanza's most successful year came in 1988 when she led her teams to a Big 5 Cross Country Championship, and both an Outdoor and Indoor Heptagonal Championships.

There is no doubt in anyone's mind that Costanza served the Red and Blue to the best of her capabilities and to the bitter end.

The 2002 women's track team now searches for a new direction without their longtime coach.

Tenisci, Costanza's assistant for 16 years, has been named the Interim Head Coach while a national search is conducted.

Both Tenisci and the athletes are confident that this season they can be just as successful as they would have been with the help of Costanza. However, that is not to say that her presence will not be sorely missed.

"I think the team will rally and continue the tradition [Costanza] has established here," Tenisci said. "We just can't let her down."

The Quakers will enter the 2002 outdoor season with a new-found determination.

"We're all here to run, that's our purpose," Cofie said. "I don't think we'll let it affect how we train. We'll try to do the best that we can do. She brought us this far, we'll go out there and do our best. She'll be around to watch us. Hopefully we'll make her proud."

And just because Costanza is now officially retired, it doesn't mean that she'll be a stranger to Franklin Field.

"My memories of Penn and track are all fond," Costanza said. "I'm looking forward to supporting the team and cheering them on. Every time they compete I will be with them."

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