‘Cat Classic’ Baseball Game to Honor the Late Nick Catechis Friday Feb 9

Catechis was a member of the 2004 Rockledge state championship baseball team

 

On Friday, February 9, starting at 2:30 p.m., the annual “Cat Classic” 15-inning baseball game will be played at Rockledge High School. Nick “Cat” Catechis, above, a member of the Rockledge Raiders 2004 state championship baseball team, died in 2007 of injuries sustained in a single car accident. Cat wore number 15, so it is appropriate for the Raiders to play a 15-inning game. The 2004 state championship team will be recognized after the game.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The year was 2005. However, it seems like just yesterday that my broadcasting partner, Orville Susong and I, were coming back from a radio show in Mims. As we were making our way back to Rockledge, we noticed emergency responders on the side of the road near the interchange of Interstate 95 and State Road 528. Little did we know that we were passing the accident scene of Nick “Cat” Catechis, who was involved in a single-car accident that ultimately claimed his life.

Orville and I both knew Nick, who was a key member of the 2004 Rockledge Raiders baseball team that won the state championship. In fact, he was the starting pitcher in the championship game.

Nick’s pitching coach at the time was Tom Mendillo, who still serves as the pitching coach for the Raiders.

Coach Mendillo knew Nick better than most. I asked him about Nick, and he told 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 well. He said 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 said, “The younger ball players looked up to him. He was a very fine young man, and we will always remember him.”

Baseball was a big part of Nick’s life, but he was more than a baseball player; he was an excellent student, carrying a 3.5GPA, all while taking Honors and Advanced Placement courses.

Nick loved the outdoors and spent many hours fishing with his father and friends. Nick was the son of Melissa and Speedy Catechis, and a brother to Cassidy Catechis. Nick loved his family dearly and they reciprocated.

Friday, February 9, 2024, starting at 2:30 p.m., the annual “Cat Classic” 15-inning baseball game will be played at Rockledge High School. Nick wore #15, so it is appropriate for the Raiders to play a 15-inning game.

Seventeen years later, Nick is still sorely missed, however, he is not forgotten. On Friday night, Nick will be honored and remembered. The 2004 Rockledge Raiders baseball state championship team, of which he was an integral part, will be recognized after the “Cat Classic.” Although number 15 will not be there in body, he will be there in spirit. Nick Catechis will always be with us.

Nick “Cat” Catechis Plaque at Rockledge Baseball Field reads:

In loving remembrance of the consummate teammate and definitive example of what every student athlete should aspire to be.

“Cat” was a member of the 2004 Rockledge Raider State Championship Baseball Team. He was a player who motivated his teammates with his tireless work ethic and by always putting the team’s well-being before his personal goals. Nick combined an excellent academic record with a fierce, and competitive spirit and a love for the game that made others want to be around him, both in the classroom and on the diamond.

This honor should remain as a constant reminder to all future Raiders of what it means to live an exemplary life, a life that is remembered long past the days of playing RHS baseball. We must use this tribute to Nick as a method to inspire us all to try and be the best Raider, the best person we can be.

“In Our Hearts Forever – 15”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Steve Wilson was born in DeRidder, Louisiana and grew up in both New Orleans and Macon, Georgia.  He moved to Brevard County in 1984 and retired from local government as the Community Advocate/Assistant to the City Manager with the City of Rockledge in 2018.

Among the awards and accolades Steve has received over the years are 15 + year 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, presented by U.S. Congressman Bill Posey.

Wilson is especially proud of his chairing two fundraisers in support of pediatric cancer research through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation in honor of Merritt Island resident Julie Spurlock that raised over $25,000.00.

He has been a partner, along with Orville Susong, for the past 24 years with the Friday Night Locker Room, a broadcasting team that covers and reports on a wide variety of local events that are of significance to the residents of the Space Coast and beyond. Their mission is to promote youth sports, support first responders and law enforcement personnel, and showcase community and charitable events that are produced by our nonprofit partners in central Florida.

The Friday Night Locker Room has awarded hundreds of sports achievement plaques to Brevard County student-athletes over the years. They have also awarded more than $18,000 in academic scholarships to Brevard County high school seniors.

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