Rutland
posted
Sep 6, 2012
Jeff Cassarino, who took over the MSJ football program last
fall, has been named as the head coach of the MSJ varsity boys'
basketball team. He takes over a MSJ program that won the
Division II state championship in March and that has consistently
ranked as one of the best teams in the state regardless of
division.
"It has been great to have Coach Cassarino be a part of the MSJ
community as head football coach. We are thrilled that he will
be bringing his energy, enthusiasm, and communication skills to the
basketball program," said Andrew Costello, secretary of the Rutland
Catholic Schools Board.
Cassarino is a Rutland native with decades of coaching
experience. He has coached sports ranging from football to
basketball to baseball, and has coached every age group, including
youth league, high school, and college. He recently has been
involved in starting a Knights of Columbus padded flag football
program for sixth, seventh, and eighth graders, which has attracted
over 30 students.
The naming of Cassarino to take on dual head coaching
responsibilities harkens back to earlier decades in MSJ's history
when there was one coach for multiple men's varsity sports, such as
the legendary Barry Brannon.
Coach Cassarino has explained that, "through sports, I firmly
believe student-athletes can, and do, learn valuable life
lessons." He wants his students to "work to excel in the
classroom and be leaders in the school."
Mount Saint Joseph Academy is a college preparatory Catholic
high school located in Rutland, Vt., specializing in educating the
mind and spirit for more than a century. MSJ's tradition of
academic excellence in the Rutland region dates back to its
founding by the Sisters of Saint Joseph in 1882. For more
information, visit www.msjvermont.org or call (802) 775-0151.
