After more than two decades of service, dedication and community impact, Satish “Coach Catfish” Athelli is departing Findlay Toyota Center to assume a senior executive position with a large sports organization.
Known throughout Arizona as “Coach Catfish,” Athelli leaves behind a legacy of leadership, integrity and inspiration.
Athelli’s connection to hockey and Arizona sports runs deep.
Perhaps most well-known in the Greater Prescott area for his time with the Arizona Sundogs, including the club’s 2008 Central Hockey League Championship season, he has been a pillar of Arizona hockey for nearly three decades. From the midnight leagues to the IHL, formerly the Phoenix Roadrunners to NHL and being on the ice at America West Arena the day the Phoenix Coyotes name was announced (still owning the original team warmups).
Then add decades of coaching, development and mentorship, “Coach Catfish” has helped shape the foundation and growth of hockey in Arizona.
He has introduced well over 1,000 children to the sport through learn-to-skate programs, run countless clinics, coached teams to more than 20 state championships, multiple national titles, and helped guide numerous players to the collegiate, junior and professional ranks.
Named 2017 Citizen of the Year by the Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce, Athelli raised over $30,000 for local veterans and thousands more for cancer support programs.
He also played a key role in organizing the Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial at Findlay Toyota Center that was a monumental event including a White House visit, F-18 flyovers and national recognition for honoring the fallen heroes with dignity and respect. To date it is the largest-scale event organized in the Greater Prescott area.
Athelli received the second-highest civilian award — Presidential Citizens Medal — from the White House, and was personally thanked by then-Vice President Joe Biden. Locally, Athelli was named the first and only Honorary Firefighter in Yavapai County.
