A. J. Pagano

Last updated

A. J. Pagano
No. 43 [1]
Position:Running back
Personal information
Height:5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight:180 lb (82 kg)
Career information
High school: Knoch High School [2]
College: Washington & Jefferson (1984–1987)
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards

Alfred J. "A.J." Pagano [4] is a former college football player for Washington & Jefferson College. During his playing career, he was one of the most prominent NCAA Division III football players, gaining national attention and honors.

He attended Knoch High School, graduating in 1984. [2] He was a leader of Knoch's Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League championship in 1983. [5]

He attended Washington & Jefferson College, majoring in business, where he played for the football team. [6] [3] He helped bring the Washington & Jefferson football team back to prominence; his success as a running back is credited with helping to improve recruiting efforts. [5] In his freshman year, he led the Presidents to the NCAA Division III playoffs, their first post-season appearance since the 1922 Rose Bowl. [3] He played multiple roles for the Presidents, gaining the nickname of "Mr. Everything." [2] By his sophomore year, his coach John Luckhardt said that he was already among the greatest running backs in college history. [2] During his career, he led the team to three Presidents' Athletic Conference  (PAC) Championships and four appearances in the NCAA Division III playoffs [3] He was a named to the All-PAC team four times (1984–1987). [3] He was named PAC MVP and All-American twice. [3] At the end of his college career, he was second in NCAA Division III history in total scoring, with 261 points. [6]

In July 1988, he was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent. [7] He was cut later that year, returning to his hometown to help manage his family's flooring business. [5] He now resides in Butler, Pennsylvania where he is married with one son.

He currently holds the college record for all purpose yards in a single game (357), as well as other rushing records. [1] He was inducted into the Washington & Jefferson Athletics Hall of Fame in 1999. [3]

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References

  1. 1 2 "Individual Records" (PDF). Washington & Jefferson College. 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 28, 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Lucas, Doug (November 12, 1986). "W&J's Pagano an All-Purpose Leader". Pittsburgh Press . Retrieved July 8, 2010.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Washington & Jefferson Athletics Hall of Fame – Class of 1999". Athletic Hall of Fame. Washington & Jefferson College. Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved July 7, 2010.
  4. ↑ "Class of 1988 Roster". Washington & Jefferson College. Retrieved July 8, 2010.[ permanent dead link ]
  5. 1 2 3 Robinson, Scott (September 1, 1996). "For One Player, Best Memories Are Losses". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . Tri-State Sports and News Service. Retrieved July 8, 2010.
  6. 1 2 Dellett, Scott (July 24, 1988). "W&J's Pagano A Late Addition". Pittsburgh Press . Retrieved July 8, 2010.
  7. ↑ Bouchette, Ed (July 18, 1988). "Steelers cut free-agent Sistrunk; close to signing No. 3 Lanza". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . Archived from the original on July 13, 2012. Retrieved July 8, 2010.
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