Eric "Cat" Catalano is an American rowing coach, program builder, and Executive Director of the Saratoga Rowing Association (SRA). Known for his technical emphasis on sculling, rigging expertise, and grassroots club development, Catalano has guided rowers from middle school beginners to international and Olympic competitors.
Harvard/Radcliffe: Served as a coach working with novice lightweight women at Harvard/Radcliffe from 2004 to 2007 before returning to Saratoga Springs.
Saratoga Rowing Association (SRA)
Catalano first joined the Saratoga Rowing Association in 1998, helping transform the junior program into a national high school powerhouse.
Junior Success: SRA crews under his guidance have earned numerous titles and medals at the USRowing Youth National Championships, Scholastic Rowing Association of America (SRAA) Regatta, Canadian Secondary Schools Rowing Association (CSSRA) Championships, and Head of the Charles Regatta.
In 2016, Catalano founded ARION (Advanced Rowing Initiative of the Northeast), an elite sculling training group operating out of Saratoga Springs.
National Team & Olympics: Catalano has served as a coach within the USRowing system, including the USRowing Junior Women's Development Program and trial crews sent to World Championships. He assisted the U.S. national team with the women's sculling squad at the 2023 World Championships and the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Coaching Methodology: Known for his philosophy of "teach, train, select" (emphasizing instruction before work and selection), Catalano regularly presents coaching conventions on stroke mechanics, rigging, and athlete development.
