Men's Golf | July 22

DeKALB, IL – The Northern Illinois University men's and women's golf programs announced on Tuesday that Ryan Stefko has been named the assistant coach for both programs.
 
"I am thrilled to join the Northern Illinois men's and women's golf programs," said Stefko. "It was clear through my conversations with [women's head coach] Kim Kester and [men's head coach] John Carlson that both are deeply committed to creating a competitive and supportive environment that prioritizes the student-athlete experience. The opportunity to contribute to a culture that values both performance and personal growth is something I'm truly excited about. I'm grateful to Coach Kester and Coach Carlson for welcoming me into the Huskie family and I look forward to helping both programs compete at a high level."
 
Stefko comes to NIU after serving as the assistant coach for the men's and women's golf teams at Menlo College for the last three years. The Oaks' men's golf team won two tournaments last season in its first season transitioning from NAIA to NCAA Division II with Nicolas-Guy Landry earning the PacWest Men's Golf Scholar-Athlete of the Year award and All-PacWest Second Team honors. The Menlo women's golf team also won a pair of tournaments in the 2024-25 season and had two All-PacWest selections in Holly Obermuller and the Freshman of the Year Rori Fanning.
 
"We're excited to welcome Ryan as our new assistant coach," said women's golf head coach Kim Kester. "With a strong background in college golf, Coach Stefko brings valuable experience, a passion for the game and a commitment to player development that aligns perfectly with our program."
 
In 2023 the Meno women's team won four tournaments and qualified for the NAIA women's national championship. The Oaks finished the year ranked #11 in NAIA with the number one ranked player in Catherine Batang who tied for second at the national championship and won the Great Southwest Athletic Conference individual championship.
 
"Ryan impressed me in the interview process with his professionalism and positive energy," head men's golf coach John Carlson said. "He brings a strong background in leadership which is evident in his collegiate coaching success."
 
A 2020 graduate of Marquette, Stefko started his coaching career in March of 2021 as the head junior varsity golf coach and assistant football coach at Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory in San Francisco. He has also served as an instructor at Stanford's golf camp and the Sports Journey US College Golf Camp in China.
 
The NIU men's golf team begins its 2025-26 season Sept. 7-8 at Minnesota's Gopher Invitational, with the women's golf team opening its year at the Redbird Invitational hosted by Illinois State on those same two days.
 
--NIU--