08/27/2026
Kingston Parks & Recreation is re-launching a co-ed Youth Boxing Program starting on Monday, September 14, 2026.
Mayor Noble said, “We are thrilled to relaunch Kingston’s legendary boxing program at the recently renovated Andy Murphy Neighborhood Center. This program, open to girls and boys who are beginners at boxing, will be taught by the Costellos, local professionals who have a longstanding connection to Kingston boxing. Together, Vinnie, Glenn, and Brandon Costello have multiple generations of boxing experience, championship-level knowledge, coaching expertise, and youth mentorship. We look forward to carrying this storied program forward.”
The Youth Boxing Program for girls and boys ages 13-18 will be held on Mondays and Thursday from 6:00-8:00pm at the Billy Costello Gymnasium in the Andy Murphy Neighborhood Center through May 27, 2027 and will be trained by Glen, Vinnie, and Brandon Costello.
The most recent version of the boxing program was formed in 2006 and ran until Covid in 2020. The program was designed to give local youth an opportunity to learn to box and to compete in the amateur boxing category with USA Boxing.
Over the years, the boxing program hosted USA Boxing events, including elite teams from Northern Ireland, Canada, and Native American tribes. The 2011 International event was a recognition of the Kingston program’s head coach Billy Costello, who was the Golden Gloves Champion and won the Chicago vs. NY Golden Gloves in 1978, and was chosen to represent the USA on the national team before becoming a professional. As a professional, Costello won the World Boxing Council’s Super Lightweight Championship and finished his boxing career at 40-2. The Andy Murphy Neighborhood Center gymnasium is named after him and a statue of Billy Costello resides in front of the building. Kingston’s Police Athletic League (PAL) was one of many supporters of this program.
Following his championship career, Billy Costello partnered with Kingston PAL in the mid-2000s to establish a highly successful youth boxing program that served generations of local families. The current Costello program is built to carry that legacy forward, preserving the structure, mentorship, discipline, and commitment to excellence that made the original program successful.
Vinnie Costello is a three-time New York State Golden Gloves Champion and former world-ranked professional boxer with a 21–2–1 record. He headlined events at Madison Square Garden, appeared on nationally televised cards, and reached a #4 world ranking. Having shared the ring with world champions, elite contenders, and Hall of Famers, Vinnie brings extensive high-level competitive and technical experience to the program. A certified USA Boxing trainer, he has also served on the training team at the Floyd Patterson Boxing Club and coached alongside his brother Billy in the original Kingston PAL program.
Glenn Costello grew up in the boxing gym under the guidance of his father, Bill, training alongside his brothers throughout their amateur and professional careers. He participated in every training camp during Billy Costello’s championship reign. Glenn is a certified USA Boxing trainer and brings more than 20 years of experience in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts, adding a broad combat-sports perspective to the program.
Brandon Costello, Billy Costello’s son, continues the family tradition through both law enforcement and youth mentorship. A member of the Ulster County Sheriff’s Department and a certified USA Boxing trainer, Brandon has worked directly with incarcerated youth, emphasizing accountability, discipline, and positive direction. A former participant in the Kingston PAL boxing program himself, he trained under his father and later under Vinnie Costello and Paul Telesca.
Register for the Youth Boxing Program at
https://kingston.recdesk.com/Community/Home
Contact Andre Dassie with questions at [email protected] or 845-481-7331.
