costello also spoke out against violence in sport, and was a member of the fair play advisory committee for ontario hockey association. in the wake of the graham james scandal in 1997, hockey canada implemented a screening program with background checks for hockey staff, and teamed up with the canadian red cross to create the speak out against bullying and harassment, which evolved into the respect in sport program. as president of hockey canada, costello always recognized the volunteers who helped in the development of minor hockey in canada. he retired as president of hockey canada, effective july 1, 1998 at the annual general meeting. he was replaced with vice president, bob nicholson, who said that costello was a great mentor, and "made every decision based on what he thought was the best interest of the sport".