DeKALB, IL – Northern Illinois University men's golf head coach John Carlson announced on Thursday the addition of graduate transfer Michael Cascino for the 2021-22 season.
 
Cascino, a Palos Park, Ill. native, comes to NIU from Butler University where he won the 2021 BIG EAST individual championship in a playoff to qualify for the NCAA Regionals. He is the first Bulldog to win a men's golf BIG EAST title. Cascino finished in the top-10 in all five events he played last spring and earned All-BIG EAST First Team honors. He led Butler with a scoring average of 72.41 for the 2020-21 season.
 
"Michael will make an immediate impact on our program while earning a graduate degree in his final year of eligibility," said Carlson. "He joins our program following an outstanding collegiate season highlighted by a BIG EAST individual championship, an NCAA Regional appearance and a GCAA All-Midwest Region selection. Michael's resume made him one of the top transfers in the country."
 
As a junior, Cascino earned First Wave Srixon/Cleveland Golf All-America Scholar honors from the Golf Coaches Association of America. He was also named BIG EAST Golfer of the Week on Oct. 3, 2019 after winning the Skyhawk Fall Classic in a playoff after posting a two-under par 214 for 54 holes. Cascino had four top-20 finishes that season and was second on the team with a 73.61 scoring average.
 
Prior to Butler, Cascino was a three-year letterwinner at Providence Catholic High School. The Celtics reached the IHSA State Championship in each of his three varsity seasons. Cascino was a three-time All-Region selection and twice named All-Section.
 
Cascino is the third newcomer to join the NIU men's golf program for this upcoming season, joining incoming freshmen Ben Sluzas and Patrick Bruminhent.
 
--NIU--