Catherwood versatile for La Salle
Bo Catherwood is a senior standout for the La Salle Institute football team. He is playing quarterback, running back and receiver on offense, and outside linebacker on defense for coach John Audino.
Catherwood, who previously starred at Tamarac, just completed his final campaign for the varsity boys’ basketball team. He rushed for a team-high 83 yards and one touchdown Friday in the Cadets’ 42-12 loss against Troy.
Q: It has to be a little weird for you to be transitioning so quickly from basketball to football. Before we talk about football, how would you assess the basketball season you just completed?
A: I think the basketball season went as good as it could. I feel like I was just blessed to be out there. I am so happy that we got the opportunity, whether it was five games, 10 games or 20 games. I am glad for my last chance to play basketball, I was able to do that. I was really hurt when I heard the news we were quarantined. I felt like the new coaching staff, they were able to build a new culture. Coach (Greg) Davis did a great job, and so did Elijah Burns helping out. He did a great job of setting the tone and helping us be successful. It was my last year, but it was the first year for the new program. I think they are going to have a lot of success.
Q: You transitioned into football season in two weeks. Talk about the swing from no rest right into football.
A: It is crazy. I am happy I was able to play the other night. I had enough practices, counting some of the ones I had in basketball. I did not have much time to get ready. Even with the way things are, I am happy things worked out and I was able to play.
Q: That is not the easiest opener to have. You also opened with Troy in 2019. How good is that team?
A: I give them all the credit in the world. They work out year round. I know (Troy coach Bobby) Burns well. He does a very good job over there, and I know a couple of their players personally. They are a great group of guys. I wish them the best for them. I have the utmost respect for that team. It has been a dream come true coming to La Salle and being able to battle against them.
Q: How difficult of a decision was it to leave? You were the top guy at Tamarac and coming over to a private school in a different situation. Was it a difficult decision, or did you feel it was the right one to make?
A: It was a little bit of both. It was a hard decision to leave my family and home at Tamarac. It will always be home. It was tough leaving family, friends and teammates, but I felt like it was the right decision for me to leave. It was a chance for me to step up. I could have been the man at Tamarac, but I don’t know how much better I would have gotten. Every practice and every game at La Salle, I felt like I was making myself better. A Catholic education was a big part of the decision for me. That is something my family always wanted for me, so I definitely feel I made the right choice.
Q: With your dad Bob Catherwood’s background as a college and high school basketball coach, I guess following into basketball seemed pretty natural. What were your early years like having him around to help you?
A: It was huge. I fell in love with the game because of my dad. At first, I didn’t like basketball. He got me playing on one of his CYO teams and I fell in love with the game. Ever since then, he has been a huge mentor in my life. Everything I do, I do for him. He taught me everything I know. Every game, I go in trying to impress my dad because he has forgotten more about
the game than a lot of people know. He has been around the game a long time and I am blessed to have him in my life making me a better player and man every day.
Q: When you go to college, is basketball going to be your pursuit?
A: Absolutely. Basketball is No. 1 on my list. If I can play both (basketball and football), I will definitely do that. Basketball is really where my heart is at.
Q: Where does recruiting stand for you? I imagine it has been made more difficult by the coronavirus pandemic and coaches not having the same ability to recruit.
A: It is tough because (colleges) are offering an extra year of eligibility to their players, it has been tough for me and other players because there are not roster spots opening up, and college coaches haven’t been able to come out and see more guys. I know a lot players in Section II are dealing with the same thing.