A Full Circle Moment at Graduate Commencement for Deena Casiero '99, MD

Commencement Weekend Info

By: Damon Markiewicz

Returning to the campus where she once relished the thrill of being an undergraduate Athletic Training student, Deena Casiero ’99, MD, will serve as the 2026 Graduate Commencement speaker on Saturday, May 16, at Springfield College. Casiero comes back to Alden Street in her role as the Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President of the Sport Science Institute at the NCAA, as well as a member of the Springfield College Board of Trustees. Dr. Casiero’s dedication to enhancing the health and well-being of student-athletes exemplifies a profound commitment to the principles that characterize Springfield College.

“It’s definitely a full circle moment being asked to be a part of the 2026 Commencement ceremony,” explained Casiero. “It’s also a give back moment to the current students because I remember being in the same position they are in as they go through all of the emotions of graduating from Springfield College. The Humanics philosophy speaks to me more now than ever. The spirit, mind, and body philosophy has engrained itself in all that I do, how I live my life, and the way I go about my career.”

Since her own graduation from Springfield College, Casiero has taken a career path that has led her to serving as the primary liaison to the NCAA on matters of student-athlete mental and physical health, safety, and performance. She oversees the operation and management of the Sport Science Institute and works collaboratively with the NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports, which is the membership health and safety committee for the NCAA. She is a member of the senior staff and serves as a direct advisor on health and safety matters to the NCAA president, NCAA leadership, and NCAA members. 

“My previous experiences before working for the NCAA were very focused on delivering health care to individual student athletes,” explained Casiero. “Because of my experiences as an athletic trainer, as a team physician, and my work in health care advocacy, the goal now is to have more of a national impact.”

Prior to joining the NCAA in August 2024, she served as the senior associate athletic director for Sports Medicine and head team physician at the University of Connecticut (UConn) from 2015-2024. Before joining the staff at UConn, she was the head team physician and medical director at Hofstra, served as the tournament physician and director of player medical services for the U.S. Open Tennis Championships, and worked as the assistant team physician for the NHL’s New York Islanders from 2010-15.

“Taking chances in one’s career is an important topic, and one that is part of my commencement address,” explained Casiero. “Everything that is good in my career has come from an experience that scared me a little bit at the start. I think it’s so important to know your ‘why’ when going through your career because having a clear understanding of what your ‘why’ is can be a guiding light.”

Born and raised in New York, Casiero’s lodestar led her to Springfield College to be a part of the Athletic Training program and engrain herself in the program’s legacy of excellence. 

“I knew I wanted to study athletic training and I was looking for a school that would provide a great education and clinical experience in AT,” explained Casiero. “Visiting Springfield College, I quickly fell in love with the family feel I felt once I arrived on campus. I knew I wanted to go to a smaller school and once I stepped on campus, I never considered another program. My two best friends were in that first-year AT class with me. They remain my best friends to this day. That speaks volumes to my Springfield College experience.”

Casiero also cherished her educational experience at the College learning from some of the most devoted faculty and staff. Not only was she learning her craft within the athletic training profession, but she was also developing life-long connections and mentorships with the professors that were showing her the light to success.

“Charlie Redmond ’68, G’71, was the program director at the time, and he is such a caring man, and you can tell he is so invested in his students as people,” explained Casiero. “Jeanne O’Brien ’86, G’92, and Mary Barnum, G’90, were some great faculty as well. They provided me with so much support and guidance. We always stayed in touch and they are a staple in my sports medicine preparation.”

Casiero graduated with a medical degree from New York Medical College in 2006. She completed her residency in internal medicine at Montefiore Medical Center in New York from 2006-09 and completed her training with a primary care sports medicine fellowship at UConn from 2009-10.

“Even after I graduated from Springfield College and I went to medical school and became a physician, Charlie, Jeanne, and Mary always supported me,” explained Casiero.

When Casiero earned her current position with the NCAA, one of the first congratulatory cards she received was from the Springfield College campus.

“Charlie (Redmond) sent me a congratulations card when I first got the job with the NCAA and I always keep it on my desk,” explained Casiero. “He explained how proud he was, and I look at it every day. It’s so special to receive something like that from such a special person. It always reminds me of Springfield College and where I came from.”

As Casiero returned to campus shortly after settling into her new role with the NCAA, she received an unexpected opportunity that is coming full-circle this weekend on Alden Street.

“When President Mary-Beth Cooper asked me in person if I was willing to deliver the Commencement Address, I started to really appreciate what an honor this is, and what a great opportunity to have this full circle moment,” explained Casiero. “From being a first-year, 18-year-old student, and to now being a Board of Trustees member at this special college. I am really excited about the opportunity to be the Commencement speaker.”

As Casiero prepares to walk into the Field House on Saturday morning and address the graduating Class of 2026 and their families, she is excited to provide a speech that can inspire all those in attendance.

“As I started planning the speech a little over a year ago, I started a notes app on my phone, and every time I had a thought, I said it into my phone,” explained Casiero. “I did this for about nine months. Next, I started to place all of my notes into themes and I started to recognize there were clear themes coming into fruition from my notes. I started an outline with the different themes and then I started writing the words in between the themes. I think I ended up with something that feels very natural.”

As Casiero addresses the Class of 2026, she will be able to share an authentic message that is based on a Springfield College experience that has helped her prepare for success in her profession, and in life.

“I am very thankful that Springfield College allowed me to have a diverse clinical experience as an athletic training major that set me up for what was ahead of me in medical school,” explained Casiero. “I remember being able to get experience as an athletic trainer at Longmeadow (Mass.) High School. As students, I felt like we were getting exposure to so many different experienced faculty members. People at Springfield College love being at Springfield College. I don’t ever recall working with a faculty member who seemed like they wanted to be somewhere else. Everyone felt invested and that’s something I have never forgotten.”