Callari to Play Football at Western Connecticut

Harrison football games are traditionally won in the trenches. This year the Huskies were very successful thanks in large part to the strength of their defensive line.

Harrison’s Michael Callari spent his senior season as one of the more versatile players on the Husky line and next season he will be playing his college football at Western Connecticut State University.

Callari first learned of the school from a family member who lived close by and turned him on to the school for academic purposes, but he quickly made his way to the football coach’s office.

“My aunt who lives in Danbury, CT told me about the school’s criminal justice program and how successful it is, so I set up a visit since that it is my major,” Callari said. "On the visit I ended up meeting with the head football coach John Burell and we discussed me playing on the team this fall.”

Callari made the initial contact with the university but after speaking with the school’s head coach it was obvious there was mutual interest.

“I went there to take a tour and happened to stop down at the field where the coach’s office was and I met coach Burell,” said Callari of his first meeting. “He asked me to send him my films, so I did and a week later he called back offering me a spot on the team.”

They haven't not yet began talking about playing time, but right now the team is looking for players on the defensive side of the ball so he should have several opportunities to show the Colonial coaches what he can do early in summer practices. Callari’s versatility up front will help him get on the field quickly, and his heart and determination should keep him there.

“As soon as I put my helmet on my head my main goal will be to play as hard and as fast as I can to better myself and better the team," said the former Husky defensive linemen. “With hard work and a lot of time and effort out into it I feel that one day I can have a big role on the team.”

Callari had several schools looking at him but in the end he felt Western Connecticut was the best fit for him to continue his academic career while still having the opportunity to get on the field every Saturday and compete.

“The reason I chose Western Connecticut was so I could pursue my major in a successful program and to play football at the college level,” Callari said. “Football has always been my favorite sport, I have been playing since the third grade and it was obvious that if I played a sport in college it would be football.”

Through a year that saw numerous injuries to the Husky defense Callari proved several times his value to the program by coming up with big plays in big moments. His high school teammates already miss playing with him and they know he can be successful at the next level.

“Mike has an inner fury that most kids don’t have,” said one of Harrison’s captains Brandon Bonistall. “It benefits him as well as the team on game day.”

Callari will get a chance to ignite his competitive fire soon, since practices begin on August 16, weeks before most freshmen are expected to arrive at school.

If Michael Callari can bring the same intensity and passion to Colonial football as he did for so long with the Huskies then there is no doubt he will be successful as a collegiate athlete.