Frank Cosentino, Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient

By George Hill

Frank Cosentino, HBA’60, MA’69, PhD’73 was a standout high school baseball, basketball and football athlete in his hometown of Hamilton, Ontario. His athletic prowess attracted attention from universities in Canada and the United States, but he became a Mustang to remain close to his family and Sheila, his high school sweetheart. While at Western, Frank was a member of the Yates Cup Championship team in 1957 and 1959. Frank graduated in 1960 as a newlywed with an honours business administration degree.

Frank’s university accomplishments were noticed by the Canadian Football League (CFL). In 1960, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats drafted him in the first round, which began an outstanding ten-year career in the CFL. As one of the last Canadians to play quarterback as a fulltime starter, Frank appeared in four Grey Cups, winning in 1963 and 1965. He also played for the Edmonton Eskimos and the Toronto Argonauts. During that time Frank continued his academic pursuits and obtained a bachelor of physical and health education from McMaster University in 1967, and a master’s degree from the University of Alberta in 1969. He also earned his PhD from the University of Alberta in 1973.

In the late 1960s, Mustangs football struggled to find success. With some behind the scenes help from London Free Press reporter Bob “Scoop” Gage, Frank returned to Western as head football coach, marking a paradigm shift for the program.

Under Frank’s leadership the Mustangs won the Vanier Cup in 1971 and 1974, setting a new standard for Canadian university football programs. In 1970 Frank was awarded the Frank Tindall Trophy as Coach of the Year by what is now U SPORTS.

In 1976-81 Frank was professor and dean of physical education and athletics at York University. The school’s football program was in jeopardy of being discontinued until Frank stepped in as head coach. Throughout his coaching career at York, the university had their inaugural Ontario University Athletics playoff berth and their first national ranking. Frank was named OUAA (Ontario University Athletic Association) Coach of the Year in 1978. He retired from teaching at York in 1997.

In 2018, the “Cosentino Era” teams of 1959, 1971 and 1974 were inducted into the Western Mustangs Sports Hall of Fame. At the time, late coach Darwin Semotiuk said, “Frank showed great respect for the game, his coaches, his players and his opponents. That respect was always returned to him. His mild-mannered, soft-spoken approach contributed to a culture of class and excellence. The bond and chemistry of Cosentino-coached teams remains and endures to the present day.”

Frank is a consummate leader who treats everyone with respect. He listens to alternative thinking, gives credit where credit is due and never takes the spotlight from others. He builds trust and camaraderie by caring deeply about those around him. Frank is results-driven, not forcefully, but calmly, and unruffled and with honesty. He builds foundations based on integrity and his commitment to people around him. People’s lives have been impacted by Frank’s gentle guidance and life lessons such as, “Enjoy the moment but do so in moderation,” and “Think of family first, school second and football third.”

Frank has been inducted into the CFL, McMaster, York and OUA halls of fame. He is also being inducted into the Hamilton Sports Hall of Fame this fall.

This lifetime of achievement would not have been possible without the love and support of Shelia over the past 65 years. They have made family homes in London, Hamilton, Edmonton, Toronto and now Eganville, and they have raised a family of four amazing children, 12 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Congratulations to Frank for a lifetime of achievement!