Collodi enjoying experience as team captain at Ohio school

From the day he earned a starting position as a freshman, Mike Collodi took on an even larger role on the Muskingum (Ohio) College football team.

He instantly became one of its leaders.

And the senior defensive end from Burrell High School finally was rewarded this season by his teammates -- all nearly 125 of them -- when he was elected one of only three team captains.

"It certainly means a lot to me to know that I'm representing all the guys before the game at every coin toss," Collodi said. "To be selected a captain by the coaches would have been nice, but it's especially rewarding coming from my teammates."

Collodi, an education major who hopes to teach health and physical education following his graduation, leads Muskingum, an NCAA Division III school, in quarterback sacks (6) and is tied for the team lead in tackles for losses (5) and for third in pass-breakups (4).

At 6-foot-1 and 216 pounds, he is undersized for a defensive end but claims he makes up for it with strength.

"When I came here," he said, "I was one of the strongest guys on the team. I've been in the top three in (lifting) total weight for past two to three years. Even as a sophomore, it helped to know that, for my size, I could hold my own."

Collodi's work ethic began before his college days. He was a two-way All-Greater Allegheny Conference player at guard and defensive end at Burrell, where he also was elected a team captain. During his senior season, he helped the team to a WPIAL Class AAA playoff berth.

"Playing in high school taught me to prepare for college," he said. "Coming in, I knew that my work ethic would play a big role. I knew I had to work my butt off if I wanted to see the field here. I was fortunate to have beaten out a senior on the defensive line."

Despite having lost back-to-back Ohio Athletic Conference games to nationally ranked Baldwin-Wallace College and John Carroll University before Saturday's matchup with Capital University, Muskingum owned a 5-3 record, which had Collodi hopeful of experiencing his first college winning season.

"We were close other years," he said, noting that Muskingum has twice during his tenure posted records of 4-5. "We have a chance to be 7-3 this season, which by far would be the best year since I've been here."