Sept. 23, 2008

By Stuart Buchanan
Athletic Media Relations

When senior safety Mike Pagnotta was finishing up his senior year in high school he wasn’t being heavily recruited, so when he went to do a work out with a school in California he never thought that it would be the start to a successful career at Colorado State.

“I wasn’t really recruited by anybody,” said Pagnotta. “But I worked out with this school down in Southern California and the head coach knew Matt Lubick, who was here, and he told me that if I wanted to walk on I was welcome to.”

Now as Pagnotta, who graduates in May with a degree in History, finishes up his collegiate career he may go down as one of the best walk-on’s in recent history.

Even though he has been plagued with the injury bug each season, missing four games in both 2007 and 2005 and three games in 2006, Pagnotta has always ranked among the leading tacklers for the Rams. This season with a new defensive system is no different, as he is the fourth leading tackler on the team with 11. With a new coaching staff and new playbook he is off to one of the best seasons yet.

“I thought the adjustment was going to be a little tougher than it was,” said Pagnotta. “I think I adjusted pretty well to it, I think most guys adjusted well to it. It’s kind of a shock at first but I think it’s helped us out so far, guys are really buying into the new system.”

When he isn’t watching film, in meetings, or recovering a fumble to set up a game winning field goal, Pagnotta is hanging out with his friends or watching television.

“I’m a pretty big TV fan. The Office, Entourage, the new 90210 just came out its pretty good,” said Pagnotta.

“I don’t really have much free time,” he said. “But during the summer we barbequed and played some sand volleyball.”

Pagnotta won’t have as much free time after his collegiate career is over either. He has plans on working for a company back in California, where this all began.

“Initially, I plan to go to San Diego and work for this company Global Leadership Adventures,” said Pagnotta. “Spend a little time traveling and do some study abroad stuff with some high school age kids.”

“They go all over the place. They go to Ghana, they go to the Congo, they go to Brazil, India, South Africa, and Costa Rica,” he said.

Pagnotta is different than most of his friends on the team. His favorite food is sushi, his favorite trilogy is the Bourne series, and Coldplay is on his pregame mix.

“I’m not really a pump up guy,” said Pagnotta. “I’m more of a calm myself down type of guy, I listen to mellow stuff.”

Pagnotta believes that the Rams are a very strong team that is flying under the radar this year.

“I think we are going to go into all of our games with a chance to win,” he said.” I think if we prepare well we are definitely going to win more games than we won last year, and make it to a bowl game. That’s my prediction for the year.”