Students
Patrick Passalacqua: No Finish Line in Sight
From the classroom to the field, devoted student-athlete Patrick Passalacqua has balanced achievement and athletics at Columbia Engineering.
Calling Patrick Passalacqua’s time at Columbia Engineering “busy” hardly does it justice. Since stepping foot on the Morningside campus, the senior juggled the demands of competing on both the Division I football and track and field teams while tackling a rigorous engineering course load. As a student-athlete all four years, his schedule was packed with academics, training, practices, games, and meets. A senior majoring in industrial engineering and operations research (IEOR), Patrick wouldn’t have had it any other way.
“Being a student-athlete has meant everything to me. It’s shaped my identity for the past decade,” says Passalacqua. “The lessons I’ve learned have made me who I am today. But even more meaningful are the people I’ve met and the relationships I’ve built—those will last a lifetime.”
This winter, Passalacqua was selected to the 2024 Academic All-America first team, becoming the first Columbia Lion to earn the honor since 2017. Passalacqua has served as a two-time captain and started 30 career games on the defensive line. In 2024, the native of Old Tappan, NJ, posted a career-high 32 tackles and forced a fumble to help Columbia earn its first Ivy League Championship since 1961.
After graduation, Passalacqua is looking forward to traveling through Europe with his fellow classmates before starting his career in finance. In July, he plans to begin work at Axonic Capital in Midtown Manhattan as an analyst on the residential mortgage-backed securities desk.
What drew you to Columbia?
Coming out of high school, I had no idea where I wanted to go to college. The only thing I knew for sure was that I wanted to play Division I football, compete in Division I track and field, and pursue an engineering degree. When I started the recruiting process, most schools told me that excelling in all three areas simultaneously just wasn’t possible. But at Columbia, the coaches and faculty didn’t focus on limitations—they focused on how to make it happen. That ambitious and supportive culture is what drew me to Columbia, and it’s what’s made me fall in love with it over the years.
What’s a moment at Columbia that shifted how you see yourself—or your future?
The biggest moment that changed my perspective was being voted captain by my teammates going into my junior football season. As a younger player, I looked up to the captains with so much respect—I never imagined I’d be seen in that light. Learning that my teammates trusted me to lead them was deeply humbling. From that moment on, I made it my mission to live up to that honor every single day.
What challenge did you face here that you’re proud to have overcome—and what did it teach you?
Balancing two sports with the demanding Engineering course load was by far my greatest challenge. During my first two years, I’d go from campus to track practice at the Armory off the 168th Street subway stop, then up to Baker for football lifts. I was stretched thin and constantly worried about how I was being perceived—I never wanted anyone to think I wasn’t all in. What helped was committing to being fully present wherever I was. If I was at practice, I focused on that. If I was in class, academics had my full attention. That mindset—“be where your feet are”—allowed me to succeed. I broke a school record in the shot put, earned a starting spot in football, was named captain, and maintained strong academics throughout.
How did you get interested in studying Industrial Engineering Operations Research (IEOR)?
When I arrived at Columbia, I knew I wanted to be an engineer but had no idea which discipline. I’d always loved math and physics, so engineering seemed like a good fit. The School’s Art of Engineering course does a great job introducing each discipline. When I learned about operations research and met some of the incredible faculty in the department, it just clicked. I was never interested in building physical things—I was drawn to data science and learning to code. Operations research was the perfect intersection of those interests. I’ve loved the coursework and truly believe I picked the right major for me. I’m so grateful to SEAS for helping me find that path early on.
What has the student-athlete experience been like for you?
Being a student-athlete has meant everything to me. It’s shaped my identity for the past decade. I’ve loved the challenge of pushing myself to be the best I can be both on the field and in the classroom. The experiences I’ve had and lessons I’ve learned have made me who I am today. But even more meaningful are the people I’ve met. The relationships I’ve built—those will last a lifetime.
What was your reaction to making All-American? (Congrats!!)
Thank you! Being named an Academic All-American was truly an honor. It felt like a meaningful recognition of the hard work I’ve poured into both academics and athletics. I’ve always taken pride in excelling in both areas, and receiving this award at the end of my college career felt like the perfect capstone. I know my younger self would be so proud—and that makes it all the more special.
If you could send one piece of advice to your first-year self, what would it be?
Honestly, I’m incredibly grateful to my younger self for the sacrifices and hard work that got me here. But if I could go back, I’d tell myself to talk to more people—to connect more deeply with my classmates and teammates. That’s the real gift of Columbia: the people. I may never again be part of a community this special, and I try hard not to take that for granted.
What’s a message you’d like to share with your fellow grads?
Be where your feet are. Focus on the task at hand. And every once in a while, take a second to reflect on how far you’ve come. You’ll be amazed by how grateful it makes you feel.
What are your plans this summer and after Columbia?
After graduation, I’ll be traveling through Europe in June with some of my fellow grads. In July, I’ll begin working at Axonic Capital in midtown as an analyst on the residential mortgage-backed securities desk, trading structured credit.
What will you miss most about your time at Columbia Engineering?
I’ll miss learning alongside some of the brightest young minds in the world. It’s been a joy—and honestly, a bit of a thrill—to study and compete with such an intelligent, driven group of students. That competitive camaraderie has been a defining part of my experience at Engineering, and I’ll miss it dearly.
Lead Photo Caption: Senior and Defensive Lineman Patrick Passalacqua
Lead Photo Credit: Columbia Athletics