Calcaterra Signs With Colorado State

Wes Vork-NSO

Click Here For Additional Signing Day Photos

Click Here To View Additional Chad Calcaterra Photos

Nov 11

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

Cloquet standout Chad Calcaterra and his family have long awaited the day in which NCAA high school athletes can first sign their letters of intent. Several years of hundreds of phone calls, letters and numerous campus visits came to an end on Wednesday in the Cloquet High School conference room. Calcaterra has
officially signed his letter of intent to play basketball for Colorado State University.

With his parents at his side and reporters present Calcaterra, dronning a Colorado State sweatshirt and CSU baseball cap, signed his letter of intent. Also in attendance was Cloquet head boys basketball coach Steve Battaglia, who played an important role in Calcaterra’s final decision.

“It feels really good to be done and over with it,” Calcaterra stated. “It is a big relief to finally have it over, the stress of it all was really tough, but I am glad with the school I chose.” “They are a young team with a lot of potential and I think I will fit in well with the program,” he concluded.

Calcaterra, who became the Cloquet boys’ leading scorer of all time as a junior last season, looks to add to his impressive resume this year. The Lumberjacks are a preseason favorite for a run at the section title. “I can now concentrate on the upcoming season and try to focus on making a run to the state tournament,” Calcaterra stated during the press conference.

Calcaterra thanked his parents for all of their time and effort in the selection process stating, “My dad did many of the phone calls and coach Battaglia answered so many letters and calls from coaches. I really appreciated all of his hard work and input.”
He continued, “A lot of what I learned here from Coach Battaglia played a huge role in where I decided to play and Colorado State was the place that we all thought I would fit in best.”

Calcaterra also commented on playing with Howard Pulley, his Nike basketball summer team. He felt playing with some of the best players in the Midwest, having some of the best coaches, including the United States Junior Olympic coach really helped him out. After spending the spring and summer playing basketball nationwide, he saw how that experience made him a better and a more mature player. Calcaterra was a teammate of the Nation’s top high school basketball recruit Harrison Barnes from Ames, Iowa in the Howard Pulley program. Barnes would have been a sure lottery pick if the NBA hadn’t changed its rule regarding high school seniors. Barnes is being recruited by Duke, North Carolina, UCLA, Kansas, and his local college Iowa State.

Northland Sports Online would like to congratulate Calcaterra on his decision and wish him continued success with this season and next year as he plays on a national stage.

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at dwight@northlandsportsonline.com