Inducted 2000. Won 70 Tennis Matches in High School. Class of 1977.
Tennis was a big part of Costigan’s life as he was growing up in Quincy, and even after the successes he achieved at Notre Dame and Murray State University, Costigan is still playing the game he loves at a highly competitive level while living in California.
During his high school career, Costigan, a 1977 graduate, posted a 70-8 record, playing No. 3 singles as a freshman and No. 1 singles in his final three years. He didn’t lose a match during the regular season of his senior year. He participated in the single-class state tournament all four years. As a senior, he lost to the eventual state singles champion and finished in sixth place. He also played in Junior Davis Cup competition, representing Middle Illinois twice.
Costigan went on to an equally successful tennis career at Murray State. He led the Racers to the Ohio Valley Conference championship in 1980 and 1981, starting a string of 10 consecutive OVC titles for MSU. As a senior, Costigan won the singles and doubles championships in the OVC, and he was selected as the team captain and most valuable player.
Costigan has continued to play since graduating from Murray State. His play as a professional was limited to some Swedish tournaments, the Alton Open, the Chicago clay court circuit. He finished second in the United States Tennis Association open division national tournament, and he also played in the USTA nationals in 1995. Though his professional days are over, he hasn’t lost his touch. Cositgan won a 40-and-over tournament in Manhattan Beach, Calif., this past summer.
Costigan and his wife Mei live in Torrance, Calif. They have two children, Haley and Jordan. He works as a safety consultant for Republic Indemnity, a workman’s comp company.