Arkansas State University

A two-year letter winner for the A-State track and field team, Pilla won the outdoor pole vault national championship in 1979 with a vault of 17-4.25. Pilla was a two-time All-American on the outdoor circuit and earned All-American accolades during the 1979 indoor season. Pilla is credited with the seventh-best pole vault in A-State outdoor history with a clearance of 17-10.50. Pilla won three Southland Conference pole vault titles, including both outdoor titles in his two seasons (1979,1980) and the indoor championship in 1980.