Dr. Tim M. Van Alstine, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at Cardinal Stritch University announces the hiring of Mike Jaskulski as the next head coach of the Cardinal Stritch University Wolves men’s basketball program.
“I am really pleased Mike has agreed to lead our men’s basketball program,” stated Director of Athletics Dr. Tim Van Alstine. “He has a well-deserved reputation as an exceptional basketball coach with an extensive background at all levels of college basketball. He is one of those unique coaches who is blessed with a breadth and depth of basketball knowledge and experience. Mike received overwhelming support during his campus visit earlier this week. He is a Milwaukee native and has maintained his Milwaukee and Midwest basketball connections, and his community connections will be an asset as well. With the addition of Mike Jaskulski leading our men’s basketball program, it’s not a stretch stating that Cardinal Stritch University may have one of the best overall coaching staffs in the CCAC. He bolsters our already impressive stable of coaches.”
Jaskulski comes to Stritch with 30 plus years of experience in collegiate and professional basketball. Throughout his years of coaching, Mike ‘Jaz’ held assistant coaching positions at NCAA Division I institutions including the University of Maine, the University of Miami (Fla.), Florida State University, the University of Central Florida, the University of Alabama-Birmingham, and most recently Stetson University. Jaskulski also spent one year in the People’s Republic of China with the professional Liaoning Leopards Basketball Club (China’s version of the NBA), where he was an assistant coach and consultant. In 2001, he was the advance scout for the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) New York Liberty.
“Cardinal Stritch University is thrilled with the hire of Mike Jaskulski as our new men’s basketball coach,” said Dr. James Loftus, President of Cardinal Stritch University. ” Mike has all the qualities and characteristics we were looking for – teacher, coach, mentor, leader, and colleague. He has a history of success and quickly showed his ability and willingness to embrace our Franciscan identity and values. I am sure our student-athletes will soon see why Coach Jaskulski is a winner on and off the court.”
Jaskulski’s collegiate and professional experience includes impressive statistics, awards, and honors. He has coached six freshmen who were honored as Conference All-Freshman Teams, four 1st and 2nd Team All-Conference Players, three Conference Players of the Year, and several student-athletes who received Conference All-Academic Team accolades.
“I feel fortunate to be entrusted with the basketball program at Stritch at a time when the University is in an aggressive growth mode. President Loftus and his “team” including Dr. Tim Van Alstine have a clear vision for the future growth of the University. That in itself excites me,” stated Jaskulski. “Having been exposed to the Franciscan values by the Sisters of St. Francis at an early age while attending St. Mary’s Grade School in Hales Corners gives me a level of comfort with Cardinal Stritch that is second to none.”
During his time at the University of Alabama-Birmingham (UAB), Jaskulski helped the Blazers earn their first ever Conference USA Championship with a record of 12-4, sending them to the NCAA National Basketball Tournament as a No. 12 seed. UAB was ranked second in Conference USA in scoring defense, three point field-goal percentage defense, and three point field goals made.
At the University of Central Florida, he helped put the Knights on the NCAA Division I basketball radar screen, ranking them as a Top 50 National Recruiting Class in 2009-2010, earning them an ESPN Top 10 recruiting class award for non-BCS schools.
Finally, in his time at Florida State University Mike helped the Seminoles post a 20-10 overall record, receiving four Top 25 National Poll rankings, sending the Seminoles to the NCAA Division I National Invitational Tournament (NIT) as a No.2 seed. In his first season at FSU, Leonard Hamilton, entrusted ‘Jaz’ with the development of the Seminole defense, resulting in the team’s rise from a ninth place ranking to the ACC’s No.1 defense, surpassing Duke as the ACC’s top defensive team (66.1 ppg and FG% 39.1).
Off the court, Jaskulski has an impressive reputation as a recruiter, with many of his former players advancing to the National Basketball Association (NBA), including Jermaine Taylor who was drafted by the Washington Wizards as the 32nd pick of the 2009 NBA draft. Jaskulski is credited with recruiting Marcus Jordan, the son of NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan, to the University of Central Florida in 2009.
“As I look at the talent on our returning team, it is clear to me that this nucleus is going to be the backbone of next year’s team,” said new head coach Jaskulski. ” In a few brief telephone conversations I have had with players, I sense a depth of character in these individuals that we can build on. As always we need to add a few more pieces and we will be diligent in our efforts to secure the kind of quality student-athletes that the Cardinal Stritch University community has been accustomed to.”
Jaskulski has head coaching experience at both Loras College, Dubuque, IA and Towson University, Baltimore, MD.
“It is most impressive to see the degree of success that has occurred in the Athletic Department both in conference and on the national stage. Those things don’t happen without great coaches and steady leadership from Dr. Van Alstine. I’m thrilled to be part of that team,” exclaimed ‘Jaz’.
Mike Jaskulski, a Milwaukee native, earned his Bachelors of Arts in History from St. Norbert College in DePere, Wisconsin and later attained his Masters of Science in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis on physical education from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He has a successful basketball pedigree stemming from his father Robert (deceased), a member of the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame, and he has two brothers coaching locally at the high school level (Paul (Pius XI) and Bill (West Allis Central). He and his wife Marcia (Hendricks) (De Pere, Wisconsin native) have two daughters, Katie and Carly.
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Photo Courtesy Cardinal Stritch Athletics
