Diego Campisano (‘21) is no stranger to putting points on the scoreboard. A Division I basketball player at Northern Arizona University (NAU), where he earned his bachelor’s degree in strategic communication, Campisano is continuing his education and athletic career by pursuing a master’s degree. Now studying human relations, another ball in the bucket, Campisano wears his “Falcon pride” in a journey that reflects the school’s spirit.
During his senior year at TPHS, Campisano averaged 7.2 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. His performance contributed to the team’s 30-1 record and winning the Open Division finals (21’) in the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) San Diego section. At the end of his senior season at TP, Campisano was named Offensive Player of the Year.
The school’s “winning program,” according to Campisano, backed up his success.
Campisano mentions his past and current teammates, who are also DI players, regarding how they motivated him to reach his current talent.
“The Torrey Pines basketball team that I was on had multiple other future Division I players on it which made my transition into the college game a little smoother because I was already used to being surrounded by high-level talent,” Campisano said.
Campisano also added that high stakes of competitions at the school helped him train for larger games in his collegiate career.
“The Holiday Classic and the Open Division playoffs, including the championship game twice, all were experiences that taught me about loud crowds and high-pressure situations,” Campisano said.
Campisano was recruited to play for NAU during a high school showcase tournament in Arizona.
“They first found me at the Section 7 tournament in Arizona the summer before my junior year when I played against one of their commits,” Campisano said.
Campisano credits “frequent contact” from head coach Shane Bucar and assistant coach Tyler Ojanen for his decision to commit to NAU “late in [his] senior year.”
Over his DI basketball career, Campisano enjoyed watching his teammate, Abilene Christian, receive Player of the Game and “being able to put the sticker” on the board at the NCAA Championship, the Big Sky Tournament, before a March Madness win. Despite his athletic achievements, Campisano notes that they did not compare to the friends he made during his time in college.
“The moments you remember are the ones surrounding the relationships that I built over my time in Flagstaff, [Arizona],” Campisano said.
Campisano also explains the times of in-game failure that served as learning opportunities that would continue to shape his current abilities.
“I’ve been at both ends of the stick when it comes to hoop,” Campisano said. “I’ve not played in college games, and I’ve also been a starter and the highest scorer in college games.”
Overall, playing basketball is an experience for Campisano where he gets to apply the skills he developed as a Falcon to his DI career, even after soaring away from the Olive Garden.
“I’m blessed to say that my college basketball career at the DI level has been fruitful,” Campisano said. “I am grateful for both the highs and the lows as they both have served as growth steps for me as a person.
