'Catching up with Steve Costabile'

In 2010 I saw his son, CJ, win the opening face-off in overtime and net the winning goal against Notre Dame for the program's first National Championship title. A year later, Steve called me to inquire about a custom piece for his son's graduation present. Another year later that custom piece was executed and presented to CJ. From that experience was also a friendship that has lasted and introduced a number of unique ideas and projects from each other. Not too long ago, I had the pleasure in catching up with Steve at this home in Connecticut.

Steve, a retired Fire Chief in NY, took on an interest in custom framing during his request for me in doing CJ's graduation present. That interest led to his starting Sports Photo Frames, which he does at his home studio. When we met up at his home, Steve gave me an in depth tour of his studio.

Stacks of material that made up his finished products were organized all over the room. It was obvious that this was a very meticulous operation. He explained to me how he sources particular metals and wood for the frames, along with demonstrating his mat cutter, which was really cool!

But on one side of the room, leaning on a shelf were the first set of frames when started out, with one of them being a reproduction print of CJ's graduation present, which was included with the primary original. I looked at it closely, and Steve then shifted from art materials to things that CJ used from his days at Duke, such as his stick that he used to win the opening face-off and score the winning goal in overtime.

What was also really exciting was being able to see the three (3) rings CJ won from Duke, and his time in the MLL with the Bayhawks and the PLL with Chaos LC.

But going back to Steve's creations, a few of them were also on display of CJ taking a face-off, his game collegiate jersey, along with his brother, Nick, a goalie who played for SUNY Cortland (Steve also commissioned me to do Nick's graduation piece). All such amazing pieces of craftsmanship!

Looking back, upon my first conversation with Steve, I did not think that he'd be a person to do custom framing, but his product is proof of taking on something new, without any formal training. I definitely left inspired, but most of all so glad that we've been friends and in touch ever since being commissioned to do CJ's piece.

Interested in getting something custom framed and matted, go to: Sports Photo Frames, LLC.