OH Shock After Wittenberg U Football Player Cosmas “Cossy” Catanzaro Dies In Springfield While Jogging

SPRINGFIELD, OH. (THECOUNT) — Cosmas Catanzaro, a star sophomore Tigers tight end at Wittenberg University, died on Friday while jogging in Springfield, according to an email to students, faculty and staff Saturday.

In the email, Wittenberg President Mike Frandsen wrote, “Cosmas ‘Cossy’ Catanzaro (2021 class) passed away after collapsing while jogging earlier today. We extend our deepest sympathy and prayers to his family, friends, professors, football teammates, and our entire campus community.”

Catanzaro was a popular graduate of Catholic Central High School.

A moment of silence for Catanzaro, 20, was held at the Catholic Central boys basketball game against West Liberty-Salem at Jason Collier Gymnasium and the Wittenberg men’s basketball game against Bryant-Stratton at Pam Evans Smith Arena on Friday night. source

“Cossy was a great kid,” Wittenberg coach Joe Fincham said. “He was really respected and liked equally by his teammates. He was that type of kid campus wide. The Catholic Central family is a very tight-knit group of people. There were a stream of people coming into the ER when we were there. It was heartbreaking, but it’s such an impressive community. Cossy was a hard worker. He always came to practice, weightlifting, whatever it was. People just liked being around him. I did, too.”

Catanzaro lettered last fall in his second season with the Wittenberg Tigers football team. He was a third-string tight end and long snapper. His brother Dominic, a linebacker also from Catholic Central, is a freshman on the team.