Edward S. Kosior devoted more than a quarter of a century to serving youth, beginning with his years at Westfield State College. Kosior was the head coach of basketball and baseball from 1951 to 1956 when Westfield State first began playing intercollegiate sports on a regular basis. During his six years as basketball coach, Westfield State compiled a 59-38 record, including an all-time best of 15-2 in 1951. 

Following his six-year stint at Westfield State, Kosior coached at Holyoke Community College and at Trade High School in Springfield. While at Trade High School, he was a mathematics teacher, head basketball coach, and an assistant football coach for more than a decade. 

Moving into the administrative ranks in 1966, Kosior served as an assistant principal for two years. He was the principal at Trade High School until 1971 when he became the director of athletics for the Springfield school system. He served in this capacity until he passed away in 1976 at the age of 52. 

In his memory, the Edward S. Kosior scholarship was established in 1977. It was awarded to the best all around senior athlete in the Springfield school system until this year when the scholarship was moved to Hopkins Academy. The Kosior League in football is also named in his honor. 

Kosior was born in Hadley and was a 1941 graduate of Hopkins Academy, where he starred in basketball, baseball and soccer. He joined the Marine Corps and fought in World War II. 

Upon returning from the war he attended American International College, where he played basketball, baseball and football. He was a two-year captain, including the 1945-46 AIC basketball team that posted a 21-3 record, and was later selected to the college's all-time basketball team. 

After graduating from AIC in 1948 with an accounting degree, Kosior played two years of professional basketball in Scranton, Pa., then joined Mass Mutual where he was employed for several years. During the 1950s, Kosior earned a master's degree from Springfield College and was one of the top semi-professional basketball players in the Springfield area.