Nicholas Cavallaro

Nicholas Cavallaro was inducted into the inaugural College of Applied Human Sciences Hall of Fame in the fall of 2025. He was previously inducted into the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences Hall of Fame in 1993.

A Morgantown native and 1943 graduate of Morgantown High School, Cavallaro served nearly three years in the U.S. Naval Air Force during World War II before enrolling at West Virginia University. He earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1954 and began a distinguished teaching and coaching career that spanned more than four decades.

Cavallaro began coaching at Drewery Mason High School in Virginia, then held teaching and coaching roles at St. Francis Catholic High School in West Virginia and Somerset High School in Ohio. In 1960, he accepted a position at Chiefland High School in Florida, where he led the basketball program to its first winning season in 20 years.

In 1963, Cavallaro became athletic director and head basketball coach at Clearwater Central Catholic High School. At the time, the school had limited athletic programs and no formal facilities. Over the next three decades, Cavallaro built a thriving athletic department, expanding it to 16 varsity and seven junior varsity sports. With support from the school and its Dads Club, the campus grew to include a lighted football field, a gymnasium, baseball and softball fields, and a 440-yard track.

Under Cavallaro’s leadership, Clearwater Central Catholic sent more than 60 teams to postseason play, won 26 state championships, and finished as state runner-up 10 times between 1976 and 1992. He led the basketball program to a state title in 1976 and a runner-up finish in 1977, and was recognized as a Coach of the Year, District Athletic Director of the Year, and nominee for National High School Director of the Year in both 1982 and 1993.

A charter member of the Florida Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (FIAAA), Cavallaro also helped host multiple state tournaments through the Florida High School Activities Association. He was later inducted into the FHSAA Hall of Fame, and Clearwater Central Catholic’s gymnasium was named in his honor.

Cavallaro retired in 1994.