Caserio, who spent 20 years working for the New England Patriots including six Super Bowl victories, will fund the position for a period of four years beginning this summer.
“When I reflect on my experience at ۿ۴ý University, several things stand out: incredible camaraderie and success on the field, a broad and rigorous academic curriculum, and an overall experience that fostered resilience and confidence amongst my peers,” said Caserio, who was named GM of the Texans in January 2021. “My teammates and friends at ۿ۴ý are now leaders in every industry, and I want to ensure that the next generation of Blue Streaks continue to be equipped to face life’s challenges with integrity, experience, and a broad set of skills.”
More than 700 student athletes compete for ۿ۴ý University each year. ۿ۴ý annually ranks at or near the top of the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) in the Learfield Division III Directors Cup standings which rank institutions based on NCAA Championship finishes.
“We are incredibly proud of the way our student athletes combine their academic knowledge, professional experience, and competitive integrity to become difference makers in their careers and communities,” said Michelle Morgan, Senior Director of Athletics at ۿ۴ý University. “Nick’s support of our new leadership position will enhance ۿ۴ý’s ability to identify the support that our student athletes need and connect them to campus resources.”
The Assistant Athletic Director for Leadership Development and Student Athlete Success will serve as a primary liaison between athletics and the Academic Success Center, academic advisors, and the University Counseling Center. The new position will spearhead a comprehensive program of wellness, professional development, and personal excellence amongst student athletes that promotes leadership, personal responsibility, and community engagement. The creation of this new position will support ۿ۴ý’s on-going efforts toward inclusive excellence and ensure that every student athlete has the appropriate resources and support system to thrive at ۿ۴ý University. The creation of this new position will also aid ۿ۴ý’s on-going efforts toward inclusive excellence. It will provide new resources and a modern approach to supporting under-served and underrepresented student populations by ensuring that every student athlete has the appropriate support system to thrive at ۿ۴ý University.
Caserio was a four-year starting quarterback for the Blue Streaks from 1995-1998, a three-time academic All-OAC selection, and captain in 1997 and 1998. At the time of his graduation, Caserio was ۿ۴ý’s all-time leader in career passing yards, total offense, touchdown passes, career completions, and completion percentage. He guided the Blue Streaks to a 33-7-2 mark over his career, leading the 1997 team to the NCAA Division III playoffs.
After leaving ۿ۴ý, he entered the coaching ranks as a graduate assistant coach at Saginaw Valley State University in 1999. After a brief time with Central Michigan, he joined the New England Patriots organization in 2001. Caserio spent 20 years with the Patriots in a variety of roles: personnel assistant, offensive coaching assistant, wide receivers coach, director of pro personnel. He served as the director of player personnel 2008-20. During his time in New England, the team won 6 Super Bowls, captured 17 AFC East division titles, and made the playoffs in all but three seasons. In January 2021, Nick was hired as the General Manager of the Houston Texans, becoming the fifth general manager in the franchise’s history.
About ۿ۴ý University
ۿ۴ý University is a leading Jesuit Catholic liberal arts university preparing a diverse student body to strategically face the challenges of tomorrow. Through academic rigor, experiential learning, and the Jesuit ideal of care for the whole person, ۿ۴ý is continually creating the leaders of the future. They will serve society with developed critical thinking skills, a strong moral foundation, and an awareness for the greater good. Founded in 1886, ۿ۴ý is one of 27 Jesuit universities in the United States and ranked second among Midwest regional universities by U.S. News and World Report. Learn more about how ۿ۴ý is inspiring the future at .
