An outstanding high school player for the Notre Dame Jugglers and the 1974 MVP in the school’s provincial championship victory over Vancouver College (36-0), Passaglia went on to play at Simon Fraser University from 1975 to 1978 spending three years starting as their kicker and a defensive back.
Passaglia was later drafted by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and was their nominee for rookie of the year in 1979 as a receiver.