Catechis was a member of the 2004 Rockledge state championship baseball workforce
On Friday, February 9, beginning at 2:30 p.m., the annual “Cat Classic” 15-inning baseball recreation can be performed at Rockledge High School. Nick “Cat” Catechis, above, a member of the Rockledge Raiders 2004 state championship baseball workforce, died in 2007 of accidents sustained in a single automotive accident. Cat wore quantity 15, so it’s applicable for the Raiders to play a 15-inning recreation. The 2004 state championship workforce can be acknowledged after the sport.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The yr was 2005. However, it looks like simply yesterday that my broadcasting accomplice, Orville Susong and I, have been getting back from a radio present in Mims. As we have been making our means again to Rockledge, we seen emergency responders on the aspect of the street close to the interchange of Interstate 95 and State Road 528. Little did we all know that we have been passing the accident scene of Nick “Cat” Catechis, who was concerned in a single-car accident that in the end claimed his life.
Orville and I each knew Nick, who was a key member of the 2004 Rockledge Raiders baseball workforce that received the state championship. In reality, he was the beginning pitcher within the championship recreation.
Nick’s pitching coach on the time was Tom Mendillo, who nonetheless serves because the pitching coach for the Raiders.
Coach Mendillo knew Nick higher than most. I requested him about Nick, and he advised me, “When you are coaching kids, Nick Catechis is the kind of kid that you want to coach.” Mendillo went on to say, “The reason Nick is remembered the way he is, is because of the type of person he was on and off the field. He was a great teammate; he was a great motivator and leader; and he was just somebody that was fun to be around on the baseball field.”
Orville knew Nick very effectively. He mentioned Nick was a “coach’s dream.” He went on to say, “Not only was he a very good ball player, but he knew the game inside and out. He listened and he produced.” Orville mentioned, “The younger ball players looked up to him. He was a very fine young man, and we will always remember him.”
Baseball was a giant a part of Nick’s life, however he was greater than a baseball participant; he was a wonderful pupil, carrying a 3.5GPA, all whereas taking Honors and Advanced Placement programs.
Nick beloved the outside and spent many hours fishing along with his father and mates. Nick was the son of Melissa and Speedy Catechis, and a brother to Cassidy Catechis. Nick beloved his household dearly and so they reciprocated.
Friday, February 9, 2024, beginning at 2:30 p.m., the annual “Cat Classic” 15-inning baseball recreation can be performed at Rockledge High School. Nick wore #15, so it’s applicable for the Raiders to play a 15-inning recreation.
Seventeen years later, Nick continues to be sorely missed, nonetheless, he’s not forgotten. On Friday night time, Nick can be honored and remembered. The 2004 Rockledge Raiders baseball state championship workforce, of which he was an integral half, can be acknowledged after the “Cat Classic.” Although quantity 15 is not going to be there in physique, he can be there in spirit. Nick Catechis will all the time be with us.
Nick “Cat” Catechis Plaque at Rockledge Baseball Field reads:
In loving remembrance of the consummate teammate and definitive instance of what each pupil athlete ought to aspire to be.
“Cat” was a member of the 2004 Rockledge Raider State Championship Baseball Team. He was a participant who motivated his teammates along with his tireless work ethic and by all the time placing the workforce’s well-being earlier than his private targets. Nick mixed a wonderful tutorial document with a fierce, and aggressive spirit and a love for the sport that made others wish to be round him, each within the classroom and on the diamond.
This honor ought to stay as a continuing reminder to all future Raiders of what it means to dwell an exemplary life, a life that’s remembered gone the times of enjoying RHS baseball. We should use this tribute to Nick as a technique to encourage us all to attempt to be one of the best Raider, one of the best person we will be.
“In Our Hearts Forever – 15”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Steve Wilson was born in DeRidder, Louisiana and grew up in each New Orleans and Macon, Georgia. He moved to Brevard County in 1984 and retired from native authorities because the Community Advocate/Assistant to the City Manager with the City of Rockledge in 2018.
Among the awards and accolades Steve has acquired over the years are 15 + yr Rockledge Little League volunteer, Brevard Public School Jefferson Award Recipient, Rockledge High School Raider Booster Award 2001, 2006, City of Rockledge Employee of the Year 2006, Rockledge Kiwanian of the Year 2006-2007, City of Rockledge Quality Public Service Award 2008, 2012, 2017, Rockledge Kiwanis Citizen of the Year 2012-2013, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Sportscasting 2015, Rockledge High School Leadership and Service Award 2016, Central Florida Humanitarian Award 2017, Space Coast Inspiration Award – 2018, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Lifetime Achievement – 2020, Ecofest Achievement Award – 2022, Quality Floridian Award – 2022, offered by U.S. Congressman Bill Posey.
Wilson is particularly happy with his chairing two fundraisers in help of pediatric most cancers analysis by way of the St. Baldrick’s Foundation in honor of Merritt Island resident Julie Spurlock that raised over $25,000.00.
He has been a accomplice, together with Orville Susong, for the previous 24 years with the Friday Night Locker Room, a broadcasting workforce that covers and stories on all kinds of native occasions which are of significance to the residents of the Space Coast and past. Their mission is to advertise youth sports activities, help first responders and regulation enforcement personnel, and showcase group and charitable occasions which are produced by our nonprofit companions in central Florida.
The Friday Night Locker Room has awarded a whole bunch of sports activities achievement plaques to Brevard County student-athletes over the years. They have additionally awarded greater than $18,000 in tutorial scholarships to Brevard County highschool seniors.
