With tributes pouring in for Frank Costa following his passing last week, a common theme ran through most of them.
Costa was as responsible as anyone for saving the Geelong Football Club when it was on its knees in the late 1990s.
For current President Craig Drummond, the role he fills today may not even exist if it wasn’t for the dedication and hard work that Costa put in.
“The Club was on its knees in 1998 when Frank became President.” Drummond said.
“With no challenge ever too big, Frank set about rebuilding the organisation, starting with recruiting an outstanding CEO from the Eagles, Brian Cook.”
“Frank, Brian and their teams did a cultural, financial and football reset.”
Following premierships in 2007 and 2009, Costa stepped down as President at the end of 2010 and passed the baton to Colin Carter who served 10 years as President before handing the reigns to Drummond at the end of last season.
The lessons that Carter learned from Costa have now been passed down to Drummond.
“Frank has shown us all what’s important in organisations,” Drummond said
“That is the people and the way we lead and live our lives.
“Many of the club’s executive and board members have worked with or under Frank, so cherish the learnings.
“Players from Harley to Ling to Selwood speak of the legend of Frank Costa.
“His humility, yet hard edged performance expectations are deeply ingrained in our organisation and will never be forgotten.”
Whilst as passionate as any Cats supporter there has ever been, Costa was always positive when it came to on-field matters.
“In his later years I often sat next to Frank at the footy.” Drummond said.
“I would always ask him how he’s feeling about the result today and he would usually say he thought we would win by two, three or four goals...never heard him say he thought we would lose a game!
“With a 70% win loss ratio clearly a very smart position to take.
“Frank was such a respectful observer of the game, never getting riled at the 50/50 decisions that went against us, or players that didn’t execute well on occasion.
“He would simply move on to the next play without proffering a negative response, believing our turn to shine was in the next play.”
But to wrap up Costa’s life in to just his time at the football club wouldn’t be just. Something that Drummond is well aware of when it comes to summing up Costa’s life.
“Frank Costa was unique.” Drummond explains.
“A man with a large loving family, a man who built a $2b ASX listed company (yes Frank your blueberries and raspberries are the best on the market bar none), a man who helped save our beloved club in those dark days of the late 1990s driving us to three premierships and a man who loved people and gave so much.
“Frank, a life full of achievements.”
“You will be forever missed.”
