Covering the Field: Introducing Caitlin Grasso

Caitlin Grasso is important. At least that’s the way Champlain Valley Union (CVU) head girls basketball coach Ute Otley describes her senior caption. Specifically coach Otley says, “Caitlin is so important to our team this year. Her ball-handling and ability to hit outside shots has given our team offensive balance, and her tenacious defense rattles opposing guards. She plays like a true senior—experienced, composed, and confident. And she leads like a true captain with her effort in practice, with a reassuring word to a teammate, and with gritty performances in close games. She makes CVU basketball better in every way.”

Born in Connecticut, Grasso and her family lived briefly in Massachusetts before relocating to Shelburne when she was in the third grade. Her family includes parents, Susan and Domenico, older brother Ben, an employee at JP Morgan in Philadelphia, older brother Jacob, a senior at UVM, older sister Elsbeth, a sophomore at the University of Delaware, a dog named Hadley, and a cat named Sadie.

“I remember playing basketball when I was really little,” Grasso reminisced about her initial foray into the sport. “My older siblings and I used to play in the driveway all the time. You could credit my brothers and sister for my interest in basketball.”

And it didn’t stop there. Grasso played basketball in middle school, and for organizations such as mini metro and Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) while honing her skills in gyms all over Vermont. Those skills have been on display against D-I opponents where Grasso is averaging 7 points, 2.5 steals, 2.2 assists per game, while shooting 45 percent from the field, and 69 percent from the foul line.

A two-year varsity player and senior captain, Grasso speaks to her strengths. “I’m very friendly and easy to talk to. I bring the team together which is really important.” Team chemistry is essential, one the Redhawks have nailed to perfection while winning back-to-back state championships and 66 consecutive games, while on their way to a third perfect season with only one game to go before playoffs.

In addition to basketball, Grasso is involved in National Honor Society, Athletic Leadership Council, and Teenopps. In fact, her greatest achievement is her involvement in the Teenopps tutoring program. “I have been a tutor for middle school students for the past few years. I chose tutoring as my greatest achievement because I enjoy it and it’s nice to know that I am (hopefully) helping someone,” she shared.

And next year? Grasso has already been accepted to the University of Delaware’s Honors College to pursue her interest in biomedical engineering. “I only applied to UD. I really like it,” she offered. It’s also clear that Grasso will continue to capitalize on her leadership skills, confidence, and work ethic that have served her so well now and in the future.