Pittsfield's Coscia Commits to Play Football at Bucknell
PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- Pittsfield senior Kieran Coscia Wednesday signed a commitment letter to attend and play football at Bucknell Univesity.
A four-year member of the PHS Generals football program, Coscia served as the anchor for an offensive line that dominated opposing teams in each of the last two seasons.
Over the course of his high school career, the PHS football program continued their tradition of fielding a competitive team with a strong culture – culminating in playoff appearances, and a Berkshire County Championship, during Coscia’s junior and senior seasons.
A 6-3, 255-pound lineman, Coscia will bring his talents to Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pa. beginning in the Fall of 2022.
Kieran, the son of Jennifer and Greg Coscia of Pittsfield, has been one of the most outstanding players in the region in recent years. The multi-sport athlete established himself as a football standout at PHS, garnering a variety of personal accolades, while taking a tremendous leadership role within the program during a time of transition and challenge associated with the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on high school athletics.
Coscia joins Bucknell, a prestigious Patriot League academic institution, which plays a Division I football schedule that regularly includes opponents such as Army, Georgetown, and Holy Cross.
Coscia was recruited by Bucknell head coach Dave Cecchini, as well as assistant coaches Vin Giacalone and Keith Larson. Over the course of Cecchini’s coaching career, he has established a long track record of building explosive offenses at elite academic institutions. Prior to Bucknell, Cecchini’s coaching stops have included Valparaiso University, Lehigh, The Citadel, and Harvard.
Projected to add depth to Bucknell’s line, Coscia looks forward to making the transition to playing and studying at the collegiate level.
“Bucknell made a strong impression on me,” he said. “The university has a top-notch academic reputation, and the coaching staff and campus have made me feel very comfortable.
“I’m thankful for the support I’ve received from my family, the PHS coaching staff, and this community. This opportunity is a result of hard work in the classroom, on the football field, and in the weight room – but it’s also a result of the being surrounded by quality people who invest in us and care about us.”
Coscia’s effort in the classroom, and impact within the football program, particularly during the COVID-19 era, were echoed by long-time PHS head coach Brian Jezewski.
During Coscia’s four-year high school career, the Generals went from sub-.500 records in 2018 and 2019, to establishing themselves as one of the strongest teams in Western Massachusetts in 2020 and 2021. The modified 20-21 football season was capped off by PHS besting Wahconah on the road for the Berkshire County Championship last spring, while this past Fall 2021 campaign was highlighted by a 6-1 regular season record and a spot in the inaugural state-wide MIAA Football Championship Tournament.
“Kieran is a high character kid with a tremendous work ethic”, Jezewski said. “He’s a special young man that leaves a legacy within the PHS football program, which prides itself on creating a brotherhood amongst team members that’s built on buying into a process of what it takes to be successful on and off the field.”
Coscia’s abilities generated exposure to a wide variety of college recruiters from throughout the Northeast. An academic body of work that included a course load of AP and Honors level classes, opened up the path to pursue opportunities at a high-level academic institution. In Bucknell, Coscia has found a fit that he will embrace for four years, as well as an opportunity that should further open up paths long after his playing days are over.
"Bucknell is getting a quality student-athlete,” Pittsfield High School Principal Henry Duval said. “Over the last few years, we’ve been fortunate to have a number of our student-athletes at PHS pursue opportunities to further their academic and athletic goals at the college level. However, it’s not often that a Berkshire County football player moves on the play at the NCAA level at such an academically respected college.”
The College Commitment Letter signing ceremony for Coscia was held in the lobby of the high school.