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Ohio Football

Topic: In memoriam

Topic: In memoriam

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Kevin Finnegan
General User

Member Since: 2/4/2005
Location: Rockton, IL
Post Count: 1,146

Status: Offline

In memoriam

Posted: 8/8/2017 10:03:03 AM

"He started as a redshirt freshman and was a staple for us at the fullback spot. He got hurt last spring and had surgery, and wasn’t able to play for us last fall. Mitch is working his way back, and we look for him to be back to full speed soon. He’s a physical guy, and he gives us an extra punch at the point of attack." --Offensive Coordinator Tim Albin

Mitch Morsillo came to OHIO as a fullback, playing the same position as his famed Bobcat coach. As a freshman, he was able to block for soon-to-be OHIO Hall of Famer, Kalvin McRae. That freshman year in 2006 would be historic for the Bobcats, as Morsillo joined the Bobcats as they made their first bowl game since 1968. Mitch even carried twice in the MAC Championship game, though his primary role was to clear the way for McRae.

Morsillo battled injuries throughout his career, excelling off-the-field both in the weight room and the classroom, but struggling to get on the field consistently. In spring of 2008, Morsillo was awarded the Super Iron Bobcat, one of only three team recipients, due to his dedication in the weight room. He earned the honors after benching 416 lbs, squatting 507 lbs, and power cleaning 323 lbs. Following his time at OHIO, he would leave to pursue an MBA at Seton Hall.

Mitch's time in the weight room or training room may have crossed paths with Vince Carlotta, but they never took the field together. Vince joined the Bobcats in 2008 while Mitch was looking to make a comeback from injuries. This would become something Carlotta would be quite familiar with. Carlotta came to the Bobcats from Cincinnati, OH, and didn't take long to get on the field.

In his redshirt freshman season of 2009, Carlotta played a good amount at guard, before being sidelined due to concussions and a broken hand. That didn't stop him from earning the starting spot as a sophomore. Again, injuries would keep him off the field, but he remained with the team, fighting to get healthy. Carlotta, who was on the field when the Bobcats defeated Penn State and, as a senior, saw the Bobcats ranked nationally for the first time in decades. While he only started 15 games in his career, he was able to witness quite a lot during his OHIO tenure.

This summer, Mitch Morsillo passed away from a drug overdose. He was 30 years old. http://www.timesonline.com/community/obituaries/mitchell-... . Just a month prior, Carlotta, at the age of 27, succumbed to an eerily similar end, passing away from drug addictions. https://www.afterlife.co/us/obituary-west-chester-vincent... . Both players suffered from mental illness and suffered through pain.

It's likely unknown if their injuries from the football field led to their addictions, or if head injuries contributed to their mental struggles. What is known is that these players, these Bobcats, fought demons which they eventually were defeated by.

I want to get excited for another Bobcat season. I want to see OHIO victorious throughout. But in recent years, watching young Bobcats such as Marcellis Williamson, Mitch Morsillo, and Vince Carlotta pass away, I can't help but feel a little guilty watching this game. I hope that our OHIO Bobcats are educating players on the dangers of the game along with the dangers of pain killers.

Rest in peace, Bobcats Marcellis, Mitch, and Vince.

Last Edited: 8/8/2017 12:20:06 PM by Kevin Finnegan

OhioCatFan
General User

Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 14,382

Status: Offline

RE: In memoriam

Posted: 8/8/2017 11:38:48 AM

Thanks for this summary. It kind of puts things in perspective. One statement that I find leaves a question in my mind: "both players suffered from mental illness." Do we know any specifics? What type of mental illness? Knowing the answer could go a long way to explaining the downward spiral of their lives, or it could explain almost nothing, depending on the type of mental illness. And, one wonders what is cause and what is effect. Did their mental illness cause some of their other problems, or was it the other way around. For instance, did drug usage result in mental problems? Did football injuries produce mental problems? Seems that in these two cases we have more questions than answers. Nonetheless, it's very sad and I hope and pray we do not see any repeats of these tragic early deaths of OHIO football players.

The only BLSS Certified Hypocrite on BA

"It is better to be an optimist and be proven a fool than to be a pessimist and be proven right."

Note: My avatar is the national colors of the 78th Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, which are now preserved in a climate controlled vault at the Ohio History Connection. Learn more about the old 78th at: http://www.78ohio.org

Carnac
General User

Member Since: 12/7/2012
Post Count: 44

Status: Offline

RE: In memoriam

Posted: 8/8/2017 12:44:21 PM

When reading about Vince and Mitch I thought about this NYT article on Kosta Karageorge and how concussions in wrestling and football during his high school days started adding-up. Kosta's uncle Jim wrestled for OHIO and it was just part of Kosta's nature growing-up to be a tough kid.

https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/27/sports/kosta-karageorg...

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