Castiglione has a new title: OU grad Castiglione has a new title: OU grad
By John Helsley
Published: May 14, 2007
Joe Castiglione slipped out of his Memorial Stadium office one night last spring, hoping to avoid the maddening media seeking the scoop on Oklahoma's next men's basketball coach.
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Almost in the clear, one reporter spotted Castiglione and gave chase, prompting the OU athletic director to break into a jog across campus.
Soon the pace quickened, Castiglione striding longer, the reporter in pursuit.
Until finally Castiglione found refuge, ducking into a classroom … where he closed the door behind him, found his seat and settled for a while to take in that evening's lecture.
"Never thought the classroom would serve as a safe asylum,” Castiglione said.
Turns out the classroom was that and much more for Castiglione during a hectic past three years.
Saturday, he joined a group of OU master's recipients, donning cap, gown and hood on a proud day he'd been quietly, yet aggressively pursuing.
"It was just a fabulous experience,” said Castiglione, whose master's is in adult and higher education administration.
"It's been a goal of mine for a long, long time. And I can't tell you how proud I am to have a degree from the University of Oklahoma.
"As proud as I am of my alma mater, Missouri, it means so much to have a degree from the University of Oklahoma.”
Why would Castiglione bother when he's already got what most men would consider their dream job, essentially CEO of one of the most prominent athletic programs in the nation?
"I've always been a big believer in life-long learning,” Castiglione said. "That's always been included in my personal core values.”
Through the journey, Castiglione faced and overcame mighty challenges; connected with the student experience OU's athletes face every day; and found himself re-energized by the limitless possibilities of education.
Castiglione juggled the business of the department, the sports schedules of 16 collegiate sports and the hassles of five coaching hires.
On the road for championship game appearances and national meetings, colleagues scratched their heads as they headed out for fellowship and Castiglione headed back to his room to study for finals or prepare research papers.
At home, he juggled family as husband and father.
Not that Castiglione considers his case special.
"It's not that my story is unique,” he said. "It really isn't. It may embody a lot of other similar experiences that other people can relate to.
"I'm very impressed with a number of students able to balance those priorities.”
Castiglione will soon be returning to the classroom — to teach.
Seems this master's dream had dual purpose.
"How I can take what I know and share it with others?” Castiglione said. "That really means a life-long interest to teach.
"I've always had an interest to teach.”
And he will, perhaps as soon as next winter, standing up front in sports administration or some other related course.
In his safe asylum.
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