Augustana College Athletics

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call Drew Carstens the cornerstone of the Augustana men’s basketball program for the 21st century. The pearl of an outstanding 2000 recruiting class—Coach Grey Giovanine’s first full group—Carstens stepped into the starting lineup immediately and helped the Vikings improve to 17-8 after a 10-15 record the previous season.
 
A 6’ 2”, 190-pound guard from Downers Grove North High School in Downers Grove, Illinois, Carstens earned Daily Herald Player of the Year honors as a member of the Trojans. He left his mark at Augustana and on the CCIW using a combination of strength and athleticism to relentlessly battle his way to the hoop. Probably best known for his uncanny ability to get to the free throw line, he was also an adept 3-point shooter, currently ranking third in school history with 156 successful treys.
 
Carstens is still the only Augustana men's player ever to lead the team in scoring for four straight seasons and finished his career in second place on the school's all-time scoring list with 1,813 points. That total trails only John Laing's 2,035. After earning second team All-CCIW recognition as a freshman, Carstens was a first team selection in each of his final three seasons. He was a D3hoops.com All-American three times over—earning first-team honors as a junior, third-team recognition as a senior, and fourth-team honors after his sophomore season. In 2008, he was an honorable mention selection on D3hoops.com’s first All-Decade team, which included 25 players who competed from 1997-98 to 2006-07.
 
A model of consistency, Carstens missed only two games during his career and averaged 14.4 points per game as a freshman, 21.1 as a sophomore, 19.4 as a junior and 19.0 as a senior. Like his point total, his career scoring average of 18.5 is second only to Laing (18.8) in Augustana history. He helped the Vikings put together a 70-30 record during his career, including 39-17 in the CCIW. He scored 38 points in a 93-78 win at North Park in the 2002-03 season finale as Augustana clinched a share of the conference title.
 
During his four years, Carstens went to the free throw line 720 times, converting 577 (80.1 percent). Both of those figures are still school records. He also owns Augustana single-season marks with 249 and 208 (.835), respectively, in 2001-02. His 135 makes from the line in CCIW play that year—when he led the league with a percentage of .871—are still a conference record. He also set Carver Center records of 20 free throws made and 25 attempted in a career-high 42-point outburst against Coe on November 27, 2002.
 
“My four years at Augie left me with many memories and lifelong friendships,” said Carstens. “The atmosphere and high expectations at Augustana provided me with the tools needed to find success in the real world. My four years of basketball with the men’s team were truly a privilege. From the minute I stepped on campus to the minute I left, I felt supported and part of a family, a tradition that continues well after I left. When I look back at my years at Augie, the wins and losses within each season begin to fade and the laughter, stories and time spent with my teammates and coaches are what I remember the most. I am forever grateful to Coach G and Coach (Tom) Jessee for recruiting me and giving the opportunity for a once in a lifetime experience.”
 
Carstens added, “To be a member of the Tribe of Vikings is not an individual honor, but a shared honor with my teammates, coaches and athletic staff that continually pushed us all to perform at our best with the highest level of sportsmanship. First and foremost, I would like to thank my parents for all the love and support and long hours of driving to each game. I wouldn’t be who I am today without you. Thank you to Coach G and Coach Jessee for being strong mentors well after college and for teaching me lessons about life. Thank you to my teammates. I wouldn’t be receiving this honor without you.”
 
After graduating from Augustana in 2004 with degrees in psychology and political science, Carstens went on to receive his MBA from Newman University in Wichita, Kansas. For the past three years he’s been a territory sales manager for Harting, Inc. of North America, a manufacturer of electrical and electronic components.
 
Drew and his wife Danielle have two sons—Ryan and A.J.—and reside in Oswego, Illinois.