Monte Vista High School football lineman Mike Costanzo was named the winner of the Danville Rotary’s ninth annual Peter Villa Award earlier this month. He was one of nine finalists nominated for the award from San Ramon Valley, Monte Vista and California high schools.
“Mike Costanzo was a unanimous choice,” said Victor Georgiou, president of the Danville Rotary.
The announcement and award presentation were made at the Danville Rotary’s Dec. 12 meeting. All of the finalists were in attendance, along with their parents, coaches and school principals.
Costanzo, who helped lead the Mustangs to an undefeated regular season, was presented with a certificate to honor his efforts. Monte Vista received the traveling trophy with Costanzo’s name newly engraved onto it, and each of the three schools was given a $750 grant for their athletic programs.
The judging panel consisted of a committee of Danville Rotary members. While they looked closely at the players’ performance on the field, they also based their decision on performance off the field. Finalists were judged on leadership qualities, athletic abilities and achievement, citizenship and number and quality of football scholarships received.
These attributes were what distinguished Costanzo.
“It’s more than just football. The guy’s got to be an upstanding young man as well,” said Georgiou.
“A player of Costanzo’s ability would have to be awarded even if he didn’t play up to his full potential,” said Bob Beaton, one of the judges. “He is a special kid who we may see on Sunday someday.”
Costanzo, who was recruited by the University of Nebraska and the University of Southern California, is set to play football at UC Berkeley next fall.
The Monte Vista lineman joins an elite group of players who have received the honor. Three years ago, Monte Vista quarterback Kyle Wright and San Ramon Valley quarterback Sam Keller were selected as co-winners. Wright is now the starting quarterback for the Miami Hurricanes, and Keller is the quarterback for the Arizona State Sun Devils. Both are NCAA Division I-A teams.
Costanzo is the first lineman to be a recipient of the Peter Villa Award.
“It is a rarity for a lineman to win; usually it’s the skilled positions,” said Beaton.
The Danville Rotary went to coaches and school administrators in the district at the end of the season with a request for player nominations. Similar to a request for an academic scholarship nomination, the form included categories that asked the nominating person to describe the individual.
The other finalists included San Ramon Valley lineman Sheldon Gruendl, tight end Andrew Leach and linebacker Kyle Kirst; California quarterback James Slagle, running back Jordan Meeks and wide receiver Dylan Tonneson; and Monte Vista lineman David Rudberg and running back Peter Guerts.
“They’re all great kids,” said Beaton. “Just to be selected as a finalist is an honor in itself since it means that either your coach or principal thought that highly of you. This is hopefully the highlight of their athletic careers.”
