FLUSHING, NY | On Wednesday, College of Staten Island women’s basketball senior guard Christina Pasaturo was named the CUNYAC/Hospital for Special Surgery Scholar-Athlete of the Month for January 2018.

“It is always rewarding to be recognized for your work in anything you do in life, so to be recognized for my work in the classroom is extremely gratifying and very much appreciated,.” said Pasaturo about being honored as the Scholar-Athlete of the Month. “I take pride in both my athletic and academic careers, so it is very important to me that I live up to the high standard I hold myself accountable for.”

“I can’t think of a player that I have had the opportunity to coach here at the College of Staten Island who is more deserving of this honor than Christina,” quoted CSI Head Coach Tim Shanahan. “Besides all of her personal achievements on the court, she is one of the most team-orientated players I have had the pleasure of coaching on and off the court.”

Shanahan voiced his praise of Pasaturo, further stating, “Besides her basketball exploits, Christina not only dedicates time to her studies, as shown by her full scholarship to New York Law School, she and her family have dedicated themselves to volunteering their time to helping rescue dogs and even taking them into their home to nurse them back to health. I am so proud that I have had the honor and privilege to coach such a wonderful young woman.”

Pasaturo, a 3.5 GPA student in Finance, averaged 22.6 points per game on 47.3 percent shooting from the field in an 8-3 month for the Dolphins. She scored more than 20 points in nine out of the 11 games, and registered a triple-double performance in a road win against CCNY, finishing with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists.

On Jan. 22, Pasaturo became the third women’s basketball player in CUNYAC history to reach 2,000 career points, joining the likes of CCNY’s Lauren Cargill (2,272 points, 1999-03) and Lehman’s Sally Nnamani (2,113, 2005-09). She ranks first on the Dolphins in scoring (23.5 ppg), field-goal percentage (46.6%), three-point field-goal percentage (37.7%) and assists per game (4.1).

Pasaturo has been shooting hoops since she was six years old and physically couldn’t explain in full extent why basketball is special to her. However, she did say with confidence that basketball has shaped her into the person she is today. “Playing basketball has taught me how to love something unconditionally, and work tirelessly for anything I want in life. It has given me drive, passion, work ethic, life skills, friends, and a purpose so special that is an understatement in describing my relationship with this amazing sport.”

Initially, the College of Staten Island was not one of the schools on Christina’s radar during her time at Notre Dame Academy. That all changed though when she met Tim Shanahan for the first time.

“After a few detailed conversations with him, it was evident to me that CSI would be the most academically, financially, and athletically-intelligent move in order to optimize success in my future,” explained Pasaturo.

She also wasn’t shy to confess that balancing her academic and athletic life has been challenging at times, but admitted that the balance between the two has immensely helped with her studies. “I have given up a lot of social aspects of my life that in turn leaves a lot more time for academics. Being an athlete also means optimizing my time and eventually that just becomes something that is natural planning ahead of your basketball schedule to make sure all your schoolwork is taken care of.”

Pasaturo believes that dedication and focus are the two most obvious similarities between learning in a classroom and playing on a basketball court, stating: “Mostly, it is way easier for me to be dedicated and focused on the court, but those skills do carry over and you realize you need to put that same effort in on the court as you do in the classroom.”

When asked about what participating in collegiate athletics has taught her, Pasaturo replied: “One of the most important lessons collegiate athletics has taught me, but really more so Coach Shanahan has taught me, is that life goes on. Basketball is one of the most important things in my life, but I have also realized losing a basketball game is small on the life scale.”

Pasaturo, whose greatest memory at CSI thus far was winning a CUNYAC Championship last season, reflected on her time as a Dolphin, stating, “I can look within my own team and see some of the tragedy’s teammates have gone through over these past four years and it makes me so grateful that I have been able to do what I love for 15 years.”