When Thomas R. Proctor High School boys basketball coach D.J. Carstensen was not rehired after Proctor, John F. Kennedy and Utica Free Academy consolidated, and he was not employed as a teacher, the former Utica College basketball star was bound and determined to "stay in the game." Mission accomplished Carstensen remains "in the game" as a highly respected men's basketball referee at the NCAA Division | level. The 2023-24 season, in fact, will be the New Hartford man's 26th as a Division I official. And for the last 18 years, he has been chosen to work the NCAA Tournament.

Carstensen has officiated regional games in 10 different NCAA Tournaments. He also has refereed 14 conference title games in six conferences, including the Big 10, America East, Metro-Atlantic, Atlantic 10, Mid-American and Horizon League.

A native of Milwaukee, Carstensen's family moved to Iowa, where he was a two-time all-state selection as a high school basketball player. After joining Utica College's first Division I men's basketball team in 1981, the 6-foot-8 forward earned team MVP honors and was a captain for three seasons.

Playing for legendary head coach Larry Costello, Carstensen helped the Pioneers win 37 games in his last three seasons. He played in 100 games for Utica College, and when he graduated in 1985, Carstensen was fourth on the Pioneers' all-time scoring list with 962 points.

Carstensen, a member of the Pioneers' Hall of Fame, was Proctor's boys basketball coach for two seasons (1985-87). Eighteen years ago, he became a full-time Division I basketball referee traveling all over the country and working as many as 84 games in a single season. Stressing good, consistent play-calling and being a good communicator, Carstensen received rave reviews in 2021 when The Athletic surveyed coaches from around the country about the pros and cons of the country's Division I officials. Under the veil of anonymity, their opinions of Carstensen included:

"Love DJ. He's the best. DJ. is professional. ... He commands the game and will listen to you without being combative."

"Everybody likes a referee who's not confrontational and will talk to you."

"He just has a presence about him and confidence. ... He does his homework.... He just seems relatable."

Carstensen and his wife, Carolyn, are the parents of sons Matt and Chad and daughter Camryn.