A. J. Nastasi
November 11, 2002 09:57 AM | General
By Brady Smith
Mountaineer
Illustrated
While one WVU student was applying for a job working at McDonald’s, he was here running.
While another WVU student was taking a trip to Cheat Lake or losing those all-too-important brain cells in Ocean City, Md., he was lifting hard.
While a certain WVU student was applying aloe vera gel to burnt skin but using SPF-15 sun screen to combat the harsh summer rays, he was improving his game.
And while those average WVU students were having an amazing time in the summer, so was he.
Ask senior leader A.J. Nastasi how he endured such a trying and arduous lifestyle in the long hours of summer and this is his reply.
"Tough? Man, it was a great time," says Nastasi, treating what most believe a burden as a blessing. "I only had one class - holy smokes. That’s six less hours of work for me a day.
"Lifting and training are routine to me. I feel like balancing a smaller workload is such a relief."
Such is the life of Nastasi, a gritty, iron-nosed receiver who mentions his schoolwork almost as much as he speaks of a slant route across midfield.
Nastasi always remains cordial and colorful, the kind of person who seems trustworthy and sociable, not just another face in the crowd.
The Woodbury, Pa., native was actually just that in high school. He was such an outstanding three-sport athlete at Northern Bedford High that he was mentioned in Sports Illustrated’s famous one-page segment "Faces in the Crowd."
"That was big for me in that Sports Illustrated is a national thing," says Nastasi. "They just called me up one day and set up a photo shoot. It was crazy."
Hardly, A.J. Being a 5-10 basketball star, averaging 40 points per game and amassing a Pennsylvania state record 3,833 points while earning all-state honors in football and playing baseball will get you that kind of attention.
Nastasi likely could have been a two-sport athlete at West Virginia but didn’t want to take on such weighted responsibilities.
"I was thinking about it, but once I got into this program I realized that it’s a 365-days-a-year thing and you can’t really get good at one or the other," explains Nastasi. "I figured I might as well get good at one of them."
Nastasi made the correct decision, the one he had seen before. A.J.’s older brother, Joe Nastasi, was a standout athlete in high school as well and went on to be a three-year starter at wideout for Joe Paterno’s Penn State Nittany Lions.
A.J. admitted that from the entire recruiting process to dealing with college life and Division I-A football, Joe was always there to talk to, and still is.
"The recruiters were straight forward with me because they knew that our family went through the same thing with Joe," says Nastasi. "It was a great experience for me because I was around all the time and we were very close as brothers.
"I still call him every day," he says of Joe, who currently owns a bar in State College, Pa. "We talk about football, of course, but everything else too."
His strong roots and admirable attitude led him through the first two years as a Mountaineer under Coach Don Nehlen. Nastasi played mostly on special teams, gradually improving himself while gaining experience with a few receptions here and there.
It wasn’t until his junior season under new head coach Rich Rodriguez that Nastasi truly thrived.
The sure-handed slot receiver led his team and was third in the BIG EAST with 42 receptions in Rodriguez’ new spread offense.
"I was actually a fan of Coach Nehlen’s offense when he was here, but Coach Rod’s no-huddle was a welcome adjustment although it was tough to learn at first," says Nastasi, who appeared to adjust quite well in his junior season.
The always versatile Nastasi was also found to be a valuable asset as West Virginia’s holder for place-kicking.
"Although being the No.1 receiver in this offense depends on the defense that is thrown at us, A.J. certainly has the best chance," says wide receivers coach Steve Bird. "He’s very flexible and has the best hands on the team."
The modest Nastasi refutes the idea of being the team’s top receiver, once again, for the betterment of the squad.
"I’d trade in any reception for a win any day of the week," he says.
Certain days of the week will be a little more special to the receiver this season than others. Nastasi looked forward to the matchup against national champion Miami and the upcoming "Backyard Brawl" with rival Pitt, an alternative to the old Penn State showdown.
"Since we don’t play Penn State anymore, the Pitt game is always exciting for me," he says. "Playing a high-caliber team like Miami is always a challenge, too."
As a senior, the challenges of life after football are in Nastasi’s future, but no worries.
"I’d love to be a coach somewhere on the collegiate level," he says. "Either that or earning my PGA Tour card."
Nastasi has been many things throughout his life: an amazing point guard, a standout wide receiver, a reliable holder, a determined student, a caring brother, an avid golfer, an admirable leader, a fierce competitor.
One thing he will never be is just another face in the crowd.
