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Steve Costea Hired As Head Softball Coach

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has hired Steve Costea as the new head coach of the Women’s Softball team.

Costea succeeds former head coach Cory Shay, who guided the Black Bears through their inaugural three seasons from 2021 to 2024.

“I first want to thank Penn Highlands President Dr. Steve Nunez for the opportunity to join the college,” Costea stated. “One of the main things that drew me here was the administration and the people I have worked with at the college, especially Student Activities and Athletics Director Sue Brugh. Once I saw her vision for the future, I knew Penn Highlands would be a good fit.”

Costea comes to Penn Highlands with more than 40 years of coaching experience. Most notably, Costea spent 29 years as the head baseball coach at Somerset Area High School, where he amassed 400 career wins and had just one losing season in nearly three decades.

He led Somerset to 19 Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference (LHAC) titles, eight district championships, and was named LHAC Coach of the Year 16 times. Costea’s accolades earned him an induction into the Somerset County Oldtimers Association Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016.

Costea has been an assistant coach for local 16U and 18U travel softball teams for four years, and he has served as the assistant coach at Berlin Brothersvalley High School for three seasons.

“I want to make this program better and move it to a higher level, as well as help any player who wants to play softball,” Costea stated. “Academics will come first, then the athletics and family aspect. I understand the College prides itself on being one big family, and I aim to instill that same value within the team.”

A resident of the Laurel Highlands area, Costea also previously coached football, swimming, and wrestling.

Steve Costea