About Michael Catania
Michael had the type of energy that could transform a room. His big personality and infectious smile made him well-liked by everyone he met. Beyond his intense personality was an adventure-loving spirit. From the time he learned to walk, you could always find Michael outside – he enjoyed fishing, hiking, swimming, dirtbikes, ATVs, and playing sports. Michael was always looking forward to his next adventure. Likely it was his fun-loving and adventurous personality that suited him to his athletic prowess. From the time he was a child, he was effortlessly among the best players on every sports team – especially football and lacrosse. Although naturally talented, Michael enjoyed pushing himself to be a constantly-better athlete.
His hard work and talent paid off in the form of numerous awards and recognitions. For both football and lacrosse, Michael was a Mayflower League All-Star and was recognized by Bristol Plymouth as their “MVP”. The Taunton Gazette awarded Michael “All-Star” for lacrosse in 2016 and he was nominated for the prestigious Otto Graham award for football in 2015. In 2015, as a junior in high school, Michael was chosen by his peers to be the first ever junior-year captain of the BP varsity football team. He was subsequently chosen as captain of both football and lacrosse in his senior year. In 2016, Michael broke a school record as the first-ever lacrosse player at Bristol Plymouth to score over 100 career goals (and he did so in just 3 seasons!) In his high school yearbook, Michael was voted “Most Athletic” by his peers. He graduated from BP in the spring of 2016.
Michael was tragically killed in an accident during the summer of 2017. The sudden loss has devastated his family and friends. To honor his memory and his passion for athletics, the Michael Catania Memorial Fund was established in 2018. Proceeds from the memorial fund will be distributed in the form of scholarships to graduating seniors, and to local charities.
Coach Parris & Michael at the 2015 Otto Graham Awards