Mike Sasso was hired as the men's basketball program's next assistant coach for the upcoming 2024-25 season on June 17.
In his first year with the program, Sasso helped the Bombers to their first Liberty League title in five seasons. IC was selected to finish sixth in the preseason poll and ran through the Liberty League Tournament with wins over St. Lawrence (62-42) and RPI (72-67). The Bombers would then top Stockton in the first round of the NCAA Division III Championship, 80-69, before falling to No. 19 WPI, 79-71, in the second round.
The Bombers rattled off six straight wins spanning the end of February into early March, playing their best basketball when it mattered most. IC finished with 19 total wins on the season, the most in Coach Farid’s era. Coach Farid went on to win All-Region 3 Coach of the Year by D3 Hoops.
While on staff this year, Sasso mentored a first team and second team all-league selection, along with the Rookie of the Year in the Liberty League.
Sasso’s main responsibilities are national recruiting efforts, on court player development, practice execution, opponent scouting and presenting game plans.
Additionally, Sasso handles the team's social media efforts, travel logistics and meals. Prior to the season this fall, Sasso assisted in launching a Prospect Camp and coordinated a Youth Clinic in downtown Ithaca.
Sasso comes to Ithaca after spending eight seasons involved with the Rutgers University men's basketball program in various roles.
Most recently from 2022-2024 Sasso served as Coach Pikiell’s video coordinator. He handled all individual and team film sessions, opponent scouting, on campus recruiting visits, ticketing and organizing major fundraising events such as the Pikiell Flight Club Dinner and Meet The Team Knight.
Prior, Sasso spent two years as a Graduate Assistant. During these two seasons, Rutgers appeared in back-to-back NCAA Tournaments for the first time in 30 years. Rutgers defeated Clemson in the 1st round of the 2020-2021 NCAA tournament which marked its first NCAA victory since the 1982-1983 season. In this role Sasso was responsible for on court player development, practice planning, video breakdown, monitoring academic progress, travel logistics and overseeing a group of 25 student managers.
In 2019-2020, Rutgers broke through and recorded 20 wins for the first time since 2003-2004. The Scarlet Knights also compiled a home record of 18-1 selling out every game and defeating four ranked opponents.
Sasso began his time as a Scarlet Knight as a student manager in 2016, lending a helping hand in every aspect of the program for all four years as an undergrad. He learned selflessness, industriousness, enthusiasm and availability are integral in building a program. Sasso witnessed the resurgence of Rutgers basketball unfold on a daily basis as Coach Pikiell built the program from ground up, “Pounding Nails” each day.
Sasso completed his masters degree in Global Sports Business at Rutgers in 2022 after completing his undergraduate studies in sport management. A native of Randolph, N.J., Sasso was a team captain on the Randolph High School team that finished 21-7 his senior year.
