Web Threads: Brian Catanzarite
3/18/2025
By Christian Gravius, Associate Director of Athletics Public Relations
Web Threads are in-depth, behind-the-scenes stories from those at the heart of Richmond Athletics: student-athletes, staff members, loyal supporters, and more. Web Threads gives a glimpse into the ambitions, motivations, and sacrifices of the individuals who allow Richmond to excel at the highest levels of intercollegiate athletics and academics as well as the philanthropy that supports them every step of the way. Welcome to our web.
At Richmond, Spider student-athletes are more than competitors—they are leaders, scholars, and dedicated members of their community. The mission of Spider Athletics extends beyond the field, fostering a culture of excellence, leadership, and service that prepares student-athletes for success in all aspects of life. For long snapper Brian "Big Cat" Catanzarite, that mission comes to life not only through his precision on the football field but also through his passion for giving back. As a key contributor to Richmond's championship-winning program, Catanzarite has embraced his role as a leader both in competition and in the community—most notably through his work with the Richmond Animal League (RAL). His story is a powerful example of how Spider student-athletes leverage their platform to make a lasting impact, proving that the values of teamwork, commitment, and service extend well beyond game day.
Heading into his final season in 2025, Catanzarite has handled long-snapping duties in every game over the past three seasons for the Spiders. One of the program's most consistent players, Catanzarite has helped the Spiders win back-to-back conference titles and make three consecutive trips to the FCS Playoffs.
While his snapping has been razor-sharp time and time again, he’s also been consistent in another area: showing up for animals in need, particularly those sheltered and cared for by the Richmond Animal League (RAL). RAL is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide hope, help, and homes for animals in need, increase adoptions and spay/neuter activity, and stop euthanasia.
Through his involvement with RAL, Catanzarite has become a passionate advocate for pet adoption and volunteerism, forming an unlikely bond between the student-athlete and his heartfelt dedication to animals. A formidable tackling threat on kick and punt coverage, his partnership with RAL has allowed him to bridge the gap between two seemingly disparate worlds: the hard-hitting, aggressive nature of college football and the gentle, cuddly charm of rescue pets.
The University of Richmond’s approach to student-athlete development emphasizes leadership, service, and well-roundedness. The balance between the rigorous demands of academics, athletics, and volunteerism is designed to help students grow into engaged and compassionate leaders.
Being a nonprofit, volunteers like Catanzarite are at the core of what makes Richmond Animal League operate.
“Volunteers are the heartbeat of our organization,” said Jason Lippy, Senior Animal Care & Enrichment Specialist at RAL. “They’re so important to the life-saving work we do. They really help us with anything and everything you could imagine, and we could not do it without them.”
Coming from a family with a dog, that changed when Catanzarite got to campus.
“Growing up with a dog in my family was huge for me,” said Catanzarite. “Coming to school and not having that dog to come home to didn’t make things as enjoyable. Seeing people walk their dogs every day made me realize that I had to get involved somehow.”
Eager to give back to his community and spend time with animals, Catanzarite searched the area for shelters to volunteer at, and RAL was the first one that caught his attention. He emailed the organization expressing his interest in getting involved, filled out an application, and came in for his first shift a few days later.
Now, over a year later, Catanzarite has become a regular presence at RAL, coming in to feed animals, which include dogs and cats alike, clean up after them, take them for walks, and spend time with them.
“It means the world to us,” said Lippy on the passion RAL’s volunteers, including Catanzarite, exude. “The time that they give and the care they provide to our pets is amazing. I am blessed to be able to work with them every day. They truly are such a big, important part of our mission.”
During the dog days of summer, when Richmond’s football team is busy navigating campus life, workouts, and internships, Catanzarite can often be found walking dogs from RAL around campus. The dogs, coming in all shapes, sizes, breeds, and ages, are adorned with bright, neon-colored leashes, with the words “adopt me” printed down their lengths. Passersby frequently stop for a conversation with the ever-approachable Catanzarite and his new furry friends, learning that these four-legged companions are available for adoption. This practice not only allows Catanzarite to spend time with the animals but also gives them the opportunity to escape their kennels and meet potential adopters.
“Getting our dogs out of the kennel, especially ones that may be more nervous or stressed, and getting them outside and to places like parks, run clubs, and breweries can be a game-changer for some,” said Lippy. “There are countless stories of dogs being adopted because they were seen out in public.”
What sets Catanzarite apart from other RAL volunteers is his unique blend of athletic discipline, academic rigor, and deep commitment to helping others. He is not only known for his precision on the field but also for his genuine dedication to a cause that is close to his heart. This kind of holistic development is central to the Spiders’ philosophy: empowering student-athletes to be champions in their sport, in the classroom, and beyond.
On February 1, Richmond football officially transitioned to the Patriot League. To mark the occasion, Catanzarite and RAL partnered to create a schedule release video for the Spiders football social media channels, featuring the pets at RAL interacting with items that represented the opponents Richmond would be facing during the 2025 season. This effort raised awareness for pet adoption while showcasing the bond between Catanzarite, the team, and the local community. One of the stars of the video was Tiny Tim, a small, elegant black puppy. Less than a week after the video was posted on social media, Tiny Tim was adopted.
While there’s no proof that the video led to Tiny Tim’s adoption (he is adorable, after all), it’s this sort of public exposure that goes a long way in the journey to find forever homes for the animals at RAL.
“It really means a lot. When people think of dog shelters (myself included), they picture mean, angry dogs that bite, or dirty dogs, or just dogs that no one would want,” said Catanzarite. “It’s really not true. You go to RAL and you can pretty much get any type of beautiful dog possible. There is such an overabundance of dogs, and the shelters are overflowing. Nothing is better than going into the shelter and being able to show these dogs some love, especially the ones who have been there for a while. Hopefully, by the end of my time in Richmond, I can continue to get other people to volunteer and foster dogs, as well as show them that any dog they want doesn’t have to be from a breeder.”
Catanzarite’s story is a testament to the nurturing environment at Richmond, where student-athletes are encouraged to use their strength and influence to get involved in their communities and make a difference. Despite his demanding schedule, Catanzarite has found the time to give back to a cause that’s close to his heart, showing that the power of compassion can transcend even the busiest of lives. It’s the leadership skills learned on the field and in the classroom, along with the lessons of accountability and the repeated exposure to hard work, that have driven Catanzarite and other Spider student-athletes to engage in their community and create a positive impact—regardless of the demands of their busy lives.
Catanzarite's story is just one of the many student-athletes at Richmond whose lives have been impacted by the support of Spider Nation. We are grateful to the loyal supporters who make these resources available to our 400 student-athletes and the opportunities they create for them!
