MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin swimming and diving head coach Whitney Hite announced the addition of assistant coach Neil Caskey to the staff on Tuesday.
Caskey joins the Badgers as an assistant coach after most recently helping the UW program as a student manager since last summer. He also worked from 2013-14 as a swim coach for Lost Creek Aquatics Club and as a masters swim coach at Western Hills Athletic Club in Austin, Texas.
A two-time NCAA champion and eight-time All-American, Caskey swam at the University of Texas from 2008-12. As a team captain his senior season, Caskey helped guide the Longhorns to a runner-up team finish at the 2012 NCAA Championships. At the meet, Caskey won an NCAA title in the 800 freestyle relay and earned four other All-America honors: sixth in the 100 butterfly; tied for seventh in the 200 butterfly; fourth in the 200 medley relay; and third in the 400 medley relay.
“Neil is a great young man with a great personality who works hard. He also understands elite swimming through his experience at an elite program like Texas,” Hite said. “I’ve been really impressed with how Neil has picked up on so many things so quickly. He understands what it’s like to work within an elite program and gets that piece of things, which is something we’re really looking for and something important.”
In 2010, Caskey was part of the NCAA championship 800 freestyle relay team that helped the Longhorns win the team title at the 2010 NCAA Championships. An eight-time Big 12 Conference champion, Caskey went out his senior season with conference crowns in the 200 butterfly, 800 freestyle relay and 200 medley relay.
Caskey ended his collegiate career as the school and Big 12 Conference record holder in the 200 butterfly. He swam and learned under longtime Texas head coach Eddie Reese.
“Being around a coach such as Eddie Reese and walking away from that program (Texas) with those resources and experiences is huge,” Hite said. “Being a school record holder himself, Neil is an elite swimmer who can bring those experiences to our group here.”
That experience also includes swimming at the world level. At the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials, Caskey finished 13th in the semifinals of the 200 butterfly while also swimming the 100 butterfly (17th), the 200 freestyle (20th) and the 100 freestyle (37th).
A member of the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll in 2012, Caskey has also been a leader in his community as a volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House since 2008 and with Marathon Kids from 2008-12.
“Most importantly, Neil is just a pleasure to be around,” Hite said. “He took a chance coming here last year and helping out the team in a limited role. He worked really hard, he’s got a great eye for swimming and now we’re pleased to have him joining our staff here at Wisconsin.”
A native of Houston, Caskey graduated from the University of Texas with a B.S. in Advertising in 2013. He is currently working towards his M.S. in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis.
Swimming news courtesy of Wisconsin Swimming & Diving.
Chris Collier’s contribution shouldn’t be overlooked. He’s been a steady addition, has brought alot of experience to the table and developed a number of champions and champion teams. He’s got more coming…
So where is Evan coaching?
A lepord can’t hide it’s spots.. No disrespect for Caskey but Hite is no Reese by any stretch of the imagination and your summary on Evan is completely false.
Caskey and Hite together will recruit and turn the Badgers into a well oiled machine. I feel sorry for the other Big 10 teams. Reese is the best swim coach ever. These two studied under Reese. Get ready Big 10!
Someone has a grudge when they downvote a grandparent being proud of their grandson….
Beth Botsford moved from an assistant position under Whitney Hite to taking over an entire program.
http://swimswam.com/olympic-champ-beth-botsford-resigns-wisconsin-takes-waunakee-wave-club-program/
Don’t most asst’s have ambition to develop and take a step up to a head coach position? I’d suggest it’s great mentoring when somebody on a staff makes a great upward career move like that.
Rumor has it that Evan wanted to move out of coaching and back into the business/finances area of his degree?! Sounds like that might have more to do with pursuing personal interests/passion…is that poor management or encouraging staff to pursue their personal best??
Getting the right people on the… Read more »
Yup
Hite sets big expectations and doesn’t tolerate mediocrity. Having swum under Reese, Hite is well positioned to make necessary decisions when building both his team and coaching staff. Well done!
>Hite sets big expectations and doesn’t tolerate mediocrity.
Mediocrity of caching staff or swimmers? I understand turnovers if a coach or a swimmer are not working hard. But if you meant mediocre talent, then it is all his fault – he hired/recruited those people. It looks to me he has problems in managing that program, watching from afar.
I am so very proud of my grandson, congratulations to you Neil. I love you very much. God Bless and protect you
Nice dude, hope it all works out for him. hook em
-fellow Houstonian.
Congratulations to our grandson Neil Caskey! We are so proud of you and know you will always do a great job and make a difference for your team & associates!