Former University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Green Bay Blizzard football player Matt Pagel died in an automobile accident in Ohio Wednesday. The athlete died when a semi-trailer on Interstate 70 lost control and crossed the median hitting him head-on. After playing for the minor league Arena Football League Green Bay Blizzard during the 2006 season, Pagel was offered a free agent contract with the San Diego Chargers in April 2005 but did not make the final roster, according to the Associated Press. Pagel was traveling to Columbus, Ohio, for a two-day tryout with the Columbus Destroyers at the time of the accident. Green Bay Blizzard special teams coach Doug Lytle said he foresaw Pagel making the team and continuing his football success in Division I Arena Football. "It is tragic what happened because he was a great football player," Lytle said in a phone interview with The Badger Herald. Larry Terry, head football coach at UW-La Crosse, said Pagel believed he could really go far and continue his dream of playing football. While playing at UW-La Crosse from 2001 to 2004, Terry said Pagel rushed for 431 yards and nine touchdowns. "He was a talented athlete — big and fast," Terry said. "Every time he got the ball there was a potential to score." Besides football, Terry said Pagel participated in track, setting a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference record of 6.32 seconds in the 55-meter dash and winning a gold medal at the 2004 NCAA Division III national championships as part of the 400-meter relay team. Terry said besides being a great athlete, Pagel was a great individual — shy and not boastful. "He made strong friendships while at UW-La Crosse, especially with his football and track teammates," Terry said. Terry said the loss will be felt by much more than his immediate family. "Our football family at La Crosse is very close and he impacted that family," Terry said. "We extend our hopes and prayers to his family."