Leo Katalinas

After graduating from J. W. Cooper, Katalinas began attending the Catholic University of America in 1934.[7] He was a standout player on the freshman squad in his first year at the school.[5] As a sophomore, he made the varsity team and became the backup to Ed Karpowich at tackle.[3] He filled in at several points for Karpowich and received "high praise" for his play, with the Republican and Herald noting that the line functioned just as well with Katalinas as they had with Karpowich.[3] He became a starter at tackle as a junior in 1936, earning his second varsity letter.[7][8]

Katalinas remained a starter as a senior in 1937, being called a "star lineman."[9][10] He placed second in voting and was thus selected to the Eastern College All-Star team, which played the Philadelphia Eagles in August 1938.[11] He was the largest player on the All-Star team and received the nickname "Thor" (the German god of thunder) for his size (6 ft 2 in, 230 lb).[11] Katalinas ended up sitting out the game after tearing a ligament in his knee 10 days prior.[12]

Katalinas also took up boxing as a sophomore at Catholic University, earning a knockout in his first match against Johnny Birkland while in the heavyweight category.[13] A reporter for The Washington Herald noted afterwards that Katalinas so outclassed his opponent that "Birkland was forced to go through with a fight that might have maimed him for life. Smashed to the floor seven times, his face beaten lopsided in a bloody smear ... Katalinas, this towering giant, came rushing forward, taunted into a frenzy by Birkland's harmless blows, throwing terrific punches hard enough to kill a man less rugged and courageous ... Finally, with Birkland beaten to a pulp, his legs instinctively trying to regain the floor, a towel came from Maryland's corner."[13]

Katalinas finished his first season with a record of 6–1, losing only one bout by decision.[14] He was very successful in his collegiate boxing career and was described as a "sensation" in the ring;[15] by midway through his senior season, he had not been knocked out a single time.[16] His first defeat of 1938 came in his final collegiate match, losing by decision in the national championship to Ashby Dickerson of Virginia.[17] The Washington Herald sportswriter Dick O'Brien called the fight "one of the greatest collegiate heavyweight battles ever witnessed in Virginia's memorial gymnasium."[18]