HTCAA "THEN & NOW" PERSONAL PROFILE


Name: Frank Cosentino
Birth date (M/D/YY): 05/22/37
School/Jr. Football: Cathedral High
Position(s): end, guard, quarterback
Years with Tiger-Cats: 7 1960 -1966

CAREER SUMMARY

1.Tell us about how you got started in football and your amateur career.
Other than playing touch ad drive em back at eastwood park, my first team was with the North End Argos coached by Art Cousins of the Hamilton Old Boys' Football Assoc. I was an end at the time (12 years old). it was great because the only thing you had to provide was a pair of sneakers. From there i went to Cathedral High, tried out for three years with the Junior team, made it as a guard and then as a quarterback for two years of senior football. I also played baseball and basket ball as i grew up.

2.How did you get started in the CFL? (draft, free agent, trade etc)
I was drafted by the Tiger Cats in the 1960 as their first draft choice after a four year career at the University of Western Ontario where we won two championships, including the first Canadian Intercollegiate championship of which team I was the captain and qb.

3.Do or did you hold any records?
As far as records are concerned they are really team ones: in five grey cups, we won two; I coached at the University of Western Ontario from 1970 through '74 and we won two Vanier Cups - 1971 and 1974. I'm in the Western, McMaster and Ontario Universities Athletic Association Halls of Fame

4.Do or did you have a nickname?
I was always known as "Cos" or "Cossie"

5.Tell us about some of your fondest memories with the Tiger-Cats or in the CFL.
From a personal point of view I think 1962 was a defining year. Bernie Faloney got hurt when we were in Edmonton and I had limited playing experience at the time. I went into the game when we were behind and we ended up tying the game (no overtime). We were on a western swing and moved on to B.C. Bernie was sent home to recover. I started and finished the game and we won. Eventually, Joe (Zuger) and I split the season and took the team to the Grey Cup where we lost by one point in the fog bowl. Joe and I pretty well split the quarterbacking in '65 and '66. I was traded to Edmonton in '67 and I probably had my best year as a quarterback that year in Edmonton

6.Who were some of the team-mates and opponents you admired the most and why?
I was a little star struck when I first began because being from Hamilton, I'd always read or heard about the TC teams of the late fifties and then found myself playing with them. I had some wonderful team mates whose company I always enjoyed: Zeno Karcz, Tommy Grant, Gino DiNoble, Garney Henley, Willie Bethea, Bronco Nagurski, Ralph Goldston, Ellison Kelly, Hal Patterson, Hardiman Cureton but I like to think that I got along with everyone and have good memories of all. These guys were serious about their preparation and at the same time were able to have a good perspective

7.Which coach did you respect or enjoy playing for the the most and why?
I had two head coaches at Hamilton and they each had distinctive personalities. Jim Trimble was loquacious and thought in grandiose ways. he was knowledgeable but also open to spontanaity. i recall once where we played a sunday game and had a quarterback meeting after he had come from church. he said he had an inspiration and put in a play for that afternoon and it scored a touchdown. Ralph Sazio was probably the most knowledgeable coach. He was very focussed, knew exactly what he wanted to do and how you should do it. the team was always well prepared, especially defensively with Ralph as the coach. Later he got more involved with the offense and brought that same tenacity with him. I also had Neill Armstrong at Edmonton and Leo Cahill at Toronto. When I coached at University I tried to incorporate the best from each into my approach.

8.Tell us about some of your favourite Grey Cup memories.
Well, i guess the '62 fog bowl where I played the sunday. I felt I played fairly well but we were still unable to overcome Winnipeg's one point lead. In '65, Joe and I pretty well split the game. I was able to option pitch to Dick Cohee for our first touchdown. it was a windy day and I still recall that Winnipeg came within a hair of making a first down near the end of the game. Our 5-3 defence with Marty Martinello at nose tackle rose up and stopped them to preserve the win.

POST CFL CAREER

9.Tell us about your life and career after playing/working with the Tiger-Cats or CFL?
I had been going to school for much of my years with the 'Cats and continued afte I was traded to Edmonton and later Toronto. I had earned a PhD at University of Alberta and began teaching and coaching football at University of western Ontario (1970-74). I began as an Assistant Professor, left as an Associate Professor and joined York University in 1976 as Professor and Chairman of Physical Education and Athletics. I retired from York in 1997 and moved to Eganville where I live now with my wife, Sheila

10.Tell us about your interests, hobbies, your passion or anything else you would like to share about yourself.
We have four children and 12 grand children and love them all. My own interests have been in writing about sport. I've had 15 books published, including a cold war novel; Hail Mary Heaven Sent (Lulu.com);my most recent one is titled Hockey Gods at the Summit, (GSPH.com). it's about the Team Canada Soviet series of 1972 but with a twist. At the moment I'm working on my third book on football in Canada in time for the 100th Grey Cup game inn 2012. I play tennis, golf and enjoy small town living.

11.Share with us some of the places you've been or things you have experienced.
I've done a lot of travelling. We've been to the then Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia and Hungary in 1970, China and Japan in/72, taken trips to Italy and France to visit and connect with family. We spend our winters in Florida and play tennis with a group of seniors. My wife Sheila is an artist so it gives her a chance to come into contact with new techniques.

THE GAME

12.What aspects of the Canadian game do you like the most?
I think the unlimited motion gives the offense a huge advantage and there are some very good quarterbacks who can exploit the motion; but it does tend to lessen the effect of the running game. I think the increased roster size too has really made for a better game and it serves to give experience to some of the younger players to improve themselves and be more comfortable in the environment.

13.Is there any aspect of the game you would change if you could?
Well, being a quarterback and Canadian and in view of the larger rosters I would like to see a roster spot designated for a Canadian quarterback. The third quarterback rarely gets into the game now and so practice reps and working against prctice defenses would be a good way of introducing the younger quarterback and leave the door ajar for an up and comer.

FINAL THOUGHTS

14.What advice do you have to either young players or those just starting out in the CFL?
Just enjoy it. They are the best years of your life. Also use it as an opportunity to explore what it is you would like to do after the football years are finished. Not everybody gets to have a long career and it's not a sport where you can always call the shot when your playing days will be finished. Find out what you enjoy doing and try to move into those areas from a career-wise point of view.

15.Is there anything else you would like to share? (thoughts, advice, stories, memories)
if you are ever traded look upon it as an opportunity to begin anew and impress your coaches with your talent, enthusiasm and determination. There are many times when a player is traded for whatever reason but there is always some team which can see how you might fit into their scheme of things. Good luck to all.

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