Michigan State University Athletics
Mike Panasiuk: Destructing And Dominating
11/20/2019 11:33:00 AM | Football
When his parents immigrated from Poland, his father took it upon himself to watch and learn the game of football. It was at an early age, senior defensive tackle Mike Panasiuk and his younger brother, Jacub began playing football with the initial push from their dad.Â
However, it's the story of his parents sacrifice that pushes Panasiuk to continue to be at his best all these years later.Â
"My parents came here when they were only 18 and they didn't know anything," he said. "I couldn't even imagine going to a different country and not even knowing the language that they speak, trying to get a job, and just trying to start your whole life at 18. It's crazy to me. Not having to go through that, making it, that's just the drive, having a better future for myself."
Before beginning his career as a Spartan, the senior modeled his play after players at the collegiate level he was trying to reach.
"I kind of just had that mindset and going out there and dominating," Panasiuk said. "I wanted to be able to make those freakish plays that you see those other guys doing at the next level. So, I was just looking at them and from there it was always a dream of mine. My dad always told me and my brother, 'no way you guys can play at the next level' and then it was our determination to prove him wrong."
As a three-year starter at defensive tackle for Lake Park West High School in Illinois, Panasiuk was one of the best. He was named first team all-state by the Chicago Tribune, recording 68 tackled with 19 resulting in loss, three sacks and two pass break ups.Â
Taking his talents to Michigan State in 2016, the senior was able to make an impact early on. As a freshman Panasiuk saw action in all 12 games, including starts in the final three. The defensive tackle finished the season with 14 tackles, All-Freshman team, and MSU's Outstanding Underclass Lineman award.Â
The following season, the senior was able to have a piece of home with him in East Lansing when his younger brother joined the team.Â
"Being able to look down the line and seeing him at the next level with me, accomplishing our goals and proving our dad wrong is just huge," Panasiuk said. "Doing it for the friends and family back at home, but it's for our individual goals as well. Growing up with him, I know his story, he knows my story and it just goes from there."
Their shared DNA turned into obvious chemistry on the field. The brothers brought their own flavor, speaking Polish to confuse opponents and make big plays. Last season, they used their secret weapon get a big tackle in the Utah State game and block a field goal against Purdue.Â
Since stepping into Spartan Stadium, Panasiuk knows his personal role is to bring constant pressure. That role is enhanced as he's the carrier of the team's "Destruction sledgehammer" on the team's home game day walk.
"I'm always looking for disruption and just trying to cause chaos as much as I can," he said. "Even if I'm not making the tackle, if I can take on two guys or let a linebacker or defensive end make the play that's fine for me too."Â
During his third season in 2018, the defensive tackle registered six tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, three pass break-ups, one interception and blocked field goal for career-highs. He also tied his career best with 25 tackles. Panasiuk's performance throughout that season allowed him to be awarded with MSU's Jim Adams Award, for the unsung hero on defense.Â
"It was huge!" he said about what that award meant to him. "During the season I might not have gotten as many tackles as I wanted, and I was kind of hard on myself when the season was over. But getting that award meant a lot to me, that my team sees that I do, do something on the field, not only just trying to make a tackle."
To pair with his success on the field, is his success in the classroom. He was recently honored with the Student-Athlete of the Month award by MSU's Student-Athlete Support Services. As an interdisciplinary studies in social science major, Panasiuk's hopes are to eventually run his own gym or to possibly begin coaching the sport he loves.Â
The senior calls the balance between school, life and football a grind that at times can go unnoticed.Â
"Not a lot of people really understand and see the background part," Panasiuk said. "We're in class, going to lifting, training and stuff like that. So, there's a lot of time put into that scholarship that we earn."
With the season winding down and Panasiuk's time with the Spartans ending, the opportunity to make memories with his teammates is what he'll miss the most.Â
"Just those memories that we've created over the years," he said. "Not being able to make them anymore of those, that's probably going to be the biggest bummer that it all comes down to an end. But we'll be able to continue on our lives and I've built friendships here that will last a long time."
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However, it's the story of his parents sacrifice that pushes Panasiuk to continue to be at his best all these years later.Â
"My parents came here when they were only 18 and they didn't know anything," he said. "I couldn't even imagine going to a different country and not even knowing the language that they speak, trying to get a job, and just trying to start your whole life at 18. It's crazy to me. Not having to go through that, making it, that's just the drive, having a better future for myself."
Before beginning his career as a Spartan, the senior modeled his play after players at the collegiate level he was trying to reach.
"I kind of just had that mindset and going out there and dominating," Panasiuk said. "I wanted to be able to make those freakish plays that you see those other guys doing at the next level. So, I was just looking at them and from there it was always a dream of mine. My dad always told me and my brother, 'no way you guys can play at the next level' and then it was our determination to prove him wrong."
As a three-year starter at defensive tackle for Lake Park West High School in Illinois, Panasiuk was one of the best. He was named first team all-state by the Chicago Tribune, recording 68 tackled with 19 resulting in loss, three sacks and two pass break ups.Â
Taking his talents to Michigan State in 2016, the senior was able to make an impact early on. As a freshman Panasiuk saw action in all 12 games, including starts in the final three. The defensive tackle finished the season with 14 tackles, All-Freshman team, and MSU's Outstanding Underclass Lineman award.Â
The following season, the senior was able to have a piece of home with him in East Lansing when his younger brother joined the team.Â
"Being able to look down the line and seeing him at the next level with me, accomplishing our goals and proving our dad wrong is just huge," Panasiuk said. "Doing it for the friends and family back at home, but it's for our individual goals as well. Growing up with him, I know his story, he knows my story and it just goes from there."
Their shared DNA turned into obvious chemistry on the field. The brothers brought their own flavor, speaking Polish to confuse opponents and make big plays. Last season, they used their secret weapon get a big tackle in the Utah State game and block a field goal against Purdue.Â
Since stepping into Spartan Stadium, Panasiuk knows his personal role is to bring constant pressure. That role is enhanced as he's the carrier of the team's "Destruction sledgehammer" on the team's home game day walk.
"I'm always looking for disruption and just trying to cause chaos as much as I can," he said. "Even if I'm not making the tackle, if I can take on two guys or let a linebacker or defensive end make the play that's fine for me too."Â
During his third season in 2018, the defensive tackle registered six tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, three pass break-ups, one interception and blocked field goal for career-highs. He also tied his career best with 25 tackles. Panasiuk's performance throughout that season allowed him to be awarded with MSU's Jim Adams Award, for the unsung hero on defense.Â
"It was huge!" he said about what that award meant to him. "During the season I might not have gotten as many tackles as I wanted, and I was kind of hard on myself when the season was over. But getting that award meant a lot to me, that my team sees that I do, do something on the field, not only just trying to make a tackle."
To pair with his success on the field, is his success in the classroom. He was recently honored with the Student-Athlete of the Month award by MSU's Student-Athlete Support Services. As an interdisciplinary studies in social science major, Panasiuk's hopes are to eventually run his own gym or to possibly begin coaching the sport he loves.Â
The senior calls the balance between school, life and football a grind that at times can go unnoticed.Â
"Not a lot of people really understand and see the background part," Panasiuk said. "We're in class, going to lifting, training and stuff like that. So, there's a lot of time put into that scholarship that we earn."
With the season winding down and Panasiuk's time with the Spartans ending, the opportunity to make memories with his teammates is what he'll miss the most.Â
"Just those memories that we've created over the years," he said. "Not being able to make them anymore of those, that's probably going to be the biggest bummer that it all comes down to an end. But we'll be able to continue on our lives and I've built friendships here that will last a long time."
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Players Mentioned
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