About the Award

In memory and honor of Coach Bob Catanio, since 2014, the Catanio family annually awards one NBYFL Tackle Level Player a $250 award for his/her deeply spirited, dedicated and remarkably passionate "love of the game".

As those who knew Coach Bob can tell you, passion for the game of football in a youth player always brought much happiness to Coach Bob. He himself had a life long passion for football and he was drawn to want to nurture this love of the game in others, especially our youth players.

As a Coach and grandfather to two NBYFL players, Coach Bob lived for the fall season when our youth would take to the fields. Coach Bob would marvel, long after practices and games (and even the season), at and about the rising stars in our youth tackle program and the kids who shared his particular passion for the game.

So, in the spirit of Caoch Bob, at the end of each season, the Catanio family invites all NBYFL Coaches to nominate a player from their ranks who they believe demonstrates pure passion for football and exemplifies Coach Bob's love of the game (all tackle level players are eligible, including Coaches's kids).

This is not a talent and skills award, though talent and skills are often the result of passion.

This is not a hardship award. Although, over-coming a true hardship, against great odds, to play the great game of football certainly does take a tremendous amount of passion and courage-- both of which are attributes very worthy of consideration.

The player who is selected to win The Robert A. Catanio Award is an "all heart, fire in the belly, full-on team first with nothing but zeal for the game" kind of player-- especially when the chips are down and odds are stackded against.

Winners of The Robert A. Catanio Award will be announced annually at the start of the following season's Season Opening Pep Rally. Winners will receive $250 in award monies and a personalized Commemorative Plaque. Nominees and winners will be congratulated in our eNews. Winners will be recognized and posted at our Snack Stands during game season, as well as on our website.

Nominations should be submitted via the form below by July 20, following the season of play to be considered. Nominations should include the Player's name, the Level during the season for which he/she is being nominated, and an explanation and detailed description about the nomination.

Nominations will be reviewed, considered and narrowed by the Catanio family and/or an advisory counsel of their choosing. Nominees will be contacted and informed of their nomination. Winners will be selected by a member or members of the Catanio Family based on their love of Coach Bob's love of the game. Each season's winner will be announced and will recevie their award at the Season Opening Pep Rally succeeding the season of nomination.