Manny Costa graduated from Peabody High School in 1983. He earned his undergraduate degree from Salem State University and a master's from Anna Maria College.

He was a two-time High School All-American in judo and a national team member from 1981-1990. Manny was also a resident and captain at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was an alternate to the 1987 and 1989 World Teams and the 1988 Olympic Team. While a member of the United States squad, Manny took Gold at the Junior Pan-Am Games, fourth at the Junior World Championships, bronze at the World Police and Fire Games, bronze at the Senior Pan-Am Championships and a bronze at the US Open.

In 1990 Manny assumed the reins of the St. John's Preparatory High School wrestling program at the age of 24. He heard about the coaching vacancy while talking to his long-time friend Steve Ring. Manny immediately applied for the position and met with Principal Brother Drinnan and AD Fred Glatz who offered him the job. Under Manny's leadership, the Eagles have won two Dual Meet State Titles (2013 & 2015) and they were runners-up twice (2012 & 2014). During the Costa-era, St. John's has earned three D-1 North Titles, 22 D-1 Top 10 finishes, two All-State runners-up, a third in New England in 2001 and a fourth in New England in 2007. St. John's has also earned two MIWOA Sportsmanship Awards and 20 Catholic Conference Championships. With Manny as coach, St. John's Prep has produced seven New England Champions, 12 All-State Champions, 25 D-1 State Champions (including his son, Jared), 35 D-1 North Sectional Champions, 19 Boston Herald All-Scholastics and 17 Boston Globe All-Scholastics. Manny has coached 8 All-Americans and 3 Honorable Mention All-Americans. He has also coached two 200+ match winners, 34 100+ match winners, four wrestlers with 100+ career pins and four wrestlers who have amassed 1,000+ career points.

Along with the hard work on the mat, Manny has also stressed the importance of education. His teams have earned 19 MIAA Academic Achievement (GOLD) Awards. The 2015 St. John's team recorded an astounding 3.98 GPA and the 2013 team had a 3.97 GPA. Manny is extremely proud to have coached 53 Academic All-Americans.

Manny was chosen as the 1999 Wrestling USA Magazine National Coach of the Year (COY) runner-up. He was also a three-time Boston Globe, one-time MIAA, and four-time D-1 North COY. He was inducted into the MIWCA State Hall of Fame in 2010, the New England Council Hall of Fame in 2011 and the St. John's Prep Hall of Fame in 2014. Presently Manny's overall dual meet record is 599-135-5.

Manny comments, "I am honored to have coached every wrestler that has stepped onto the St. John's Prep mats. I would like to thank the wrestlers and their parents for their dedication and support throughout the years. I am honored to accept the award/induction on behalf of the entire SJP wrestling community."

"I have been blessed to have been able to coach both of my sons and share winning a state team title while both were competing on varsity. I cherish the memories of having my sons brought up with so many 'brothers' teaching them the importance of education, teamwork, sacrifice and hard work. All this would not be possible without my parents Manny and Rose, and my sister Maureen."

His prep teams have been consistent winners throughout Manny's tenure. Manny states that "This a reflection on all of my dedicated assistants: Steve Baker, JC Honer, Steve Eddy, Kevin Cote, Mark Skandier, David Blais, Steve Campbell, Frank Gwynne and Mike Anderson."

Manny has proudly served on the MIWCA executive board for seventeen years, as a sectional representative and later as its president. He is a member of the Peabody Police Department since 1989 and is currently assigned to Peabody High School as the Juvenile/SRO.

In recognition of his many years of service to the sport of wrestling, The Massachusetts Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame is honoring Manny Costa with its Award for Lifetime Service to Wrestling.