Addison Trail alumna lands position with The Clarion-Ledger in Mississippi

When Addison Trail alumna Annie Costabile (class of 2009) moves to Mississippi on Feb. 14 to join The Clarion-Ledger, she will be doing more than just beginning a new journey in her career – she will be continuing the love of sports she shares with her father, John William Costabile.

Her father passed away in 1994 from a pulmonary embolism, when Costabile was just 3 years old. But their passion for sports – particularly football and basketball – has kept their bond alive.

“I never felt like he wasn’t a huge part of my life,” Costabile said. “I know he’s with me, and becoming the High School Sports Prep and Recruiting Editor with The Clarion-Ledger as their Digital Media Sports Editor is another way to keep our connection strong.”

Costabile graduated from The University of Iowa in 2013, where she majored in journalism and minored in sports studies. She said she chose that field because she loves how sports can influence change throughout the world.

Her work experience includes internships with Turner Broadcasting System Inc. and ESPN Radio, Marketing Assistant/Student Ambassador/Sideline Reporter with Big Ten Network, Play-by-Play Reporter with High School Cube, Sideline Reporter with Comcast and Sports Writer with RedEye Chicago.

Through her new position, Costabile will cover high school athletics in the Mississippi area, focusing on the prep football and basketball scene.

“I’m excited to grow as a journalist through this role,” Costabile said. “I look forward to getting to tell a different story every day in a setting that’s new for me outside of the Midwest, as well as enhancing my writing skills with print journalism.”

Costabile said she owes her success to her mother, Mary Lou, and the staff at Addison Trail, who helped her on this path.

“The Village of Addison and Addison Trail are such a close-knit community, and I didn’t realize how unique and special that was until I left for college,” Costabile said. “The village and school really care about each student’s success and happiness – not just in terms of grades, but as a whole person.”

She added her years at Addison Trail taught her the value of hard work, and she’s beyond excited those efforts are paying off.

“I feel like I’m living a fairy tale dream getting to do what I love every day,” Costabile said. “My advice to students is to listen to that little voice inside your head – and follow it.”