Christ Church graduate Chandler Catanzaro was informed on Monday, August 25th that he had been picked to be the kicker for the Arizona Cardinals over veteran Jay Freely. Catanzaro was perfect during the preseason, making all of his field goals and extra point attempts.

Catanzaro’s athletic career started at Christ Church. However, he did not start off playing football. Catanzaro started off as a baseball player and did not play football until his junior year. After starting his football career, he set 4 school records: best punting average, longest punt, longest kickoff and most touchbacks in a game. Catanzaro graduated in 2009 and went to Clemson University where he was a walk-on kicker. He became the starting kicker as a redshirt freshman; Catanzaro started the next four years. During his time at Clemson, he accumulated 404 points. He made 98% of his extra points through his four years at Clemson and, after having a rocky start his first year, where he only made 63% of his field goals, he made 88% of his field goals the next three years.

Chandler’s sister, Madeline Catanzaro, class of 2015, was with her friends when she found her brother had been selected to kick for the Cardinals. When asked how she felt about Chandler being chosen, she said she was “very proud of him. It has been his dream for a long time. I love him.”

Chandler has grown tremendously since his time at Christ Church and has improved his kicking skills. He is sure to be a success at Arizona.