In the modern world of collegiate athletics, the pursuit of individual goals over program success has marked a seismic shift in the landscape of amateur sports. Major changes like a redefinition of the transfer portal and lifting of NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) restrictions have created a unique culture, for better or worse.  One Revere graduate, though, has proved himself an exception to the growing trend, choosing to forego potential higher-level opportunities to build a historic career at a smaller program, leading to extensive recognition.

Eric Colaco is a 2021 graduate of Revere High School (RHS), and while he achieved at a high level during his high school career, helping lead RHS baseball to its first district title in program history, he truly found his footing once he reached the next level. Colaco’s career at Denison University has been nothing short of historic, with record-setting performances that have not only led to mass individual praise but raised the program to new heights.

During his time with Denison, Colaco has set school records in at-bats, runs, hits, triples, total bases, RBIs, stolen bases, and the North Coast Athletic Conferences (NCAC) doubles record. He was also one of five non-division one players named to the preseason Golden Spikes Watchlist, an award given to the best amateur baseball player in the country, putting him in the same conversation as one of the few non-division one players in history to win the award, Bryce Harper. Colaco spoke on his success and his perspective toward his accomplishments.

“It’s pretty cool to see that I’ve broken all these records. And I’ve had a lot of success here. Especially because I’ve helped elevate this program to a level it hasn’t been to before… But I’m doing just as much work as a lot of the other guys are. And so I give a lot of respect to my teammates because they’re the ones that are pushing me. And some of these record-breaking goals and conference  records that I’ve broken have been pretty cool to see, but they are just a part of the process,” he said.

While his collegiate success speaks for itself, coming out of high school, Colaco was a relatively overlooked prospect. With the COVID-19 pandemic seriously limiting his junior season, he was given fewer opportunities to showcase many of the immeasurables that define his play, leading to fewer recruiting opportunities. Despite this, Colaco found a place at Denison. Announcing his commitment early in the process, he explained the factors that made Denison a clear choice.

“It was a mix between academics and the program that was being built in terms of baseball. . . .  It’s close. The academics were top-notch, and I had some good relationships with the coaches and heard some great things about the way the program was going. And I’ve absolutely loved it here,” he said.

The restructuring of the transfer portal in 2021 put smaller schools in a difficult position, often used as stepping stones for athletes on the way to spots on Division One rosters. Colaco’s decision to stick with Denison and carve out a historic career at the Division Three level is a unique example of the continued viability of the NCAA’s lower divisions. He explained his dedication to Denison’s program and how it has allowed him to shine as a player.

“In my life, I value relationships. So it was very difficult for me to ever really think about it. . . .  I just have such a high respect and regard for my coaching staff and the work that we put in. I also thought that I loved it so much here that if I had left and went to a place I didn’t enjoy as much, that I would regret going there. I found a place that I really loved, and I’ve stuck it out, and I’ve absolutely loved it,” Colaco said.

While his time at Denison will conclude later this spring, to Colaco, his baseball career is far from over. Last summer, he played for the Chillicothe Paints of the Prospect League, a Midwestern summer league for collegiate players, where he was named both league player of the year and the top pro prospect of the year. This year, Colaco will participate in the MLB Draft Prospect League, hoping to earn a spot on a major league roster in July. Colaco spoke about his baseball future and what it takes to become a pro.

“The process of trying to get signed is complicated, a lot different than the whole high school process where schools are very interested in you and are actively seeking players out. When it comes to the professional process, professional teams and organizations will reach out to you and ask for questionnaires and they’ll come to your games and scout you and things like that, but we don’t get much feedback, but my goal is to play professional baseball, and I’m going to commit to that goal,” he said.

Before Colaco held big league aspirations, he had to develop throughout his time with the RHS Baseball program. Although he refined many qualities that define his game after arriving at Denison, much of the groundwork for those skills was laid at Revere. He explained the importance of his time at Revere to his success.

“The coaching staff, Coach Cottrell, Coach Wido, the supporting staff. They did an incredible job. They put a lot of time and a lot of effort into us. At first, it was funny. Before I even got into high school baseball, I was thinking of not even going to Revere High School, but I decided to stick it out. And I was very thankful for my experience with them,” Colaco said.

Michael Deegan is the head coach at Denison. Throughout his time with Colaco, he has watched him grow from a high school prospect into a top player at the division three level. Deegan explained what having a player like Colaco means to the program.

“He matters to us in so many ways. One is just the athleticism and the talent, but I think why these conversations are so easy is that he’s humble. He doesn’t need any kind of special treatment, . . . especially with all the pressure he’s under. Number one, because everyone, everyday people, are watching him, and there’s eyes on him. But he never shows that. He never has let any of the success or accolades change him as a person. And that’s a credit to the person he is,” he said.

From a coaching standpoint, Colaco’s decision to stick with Denison for his entire collegiate career was an unprecedented victory for Deegan and his program. With the team’s success, other players have made the move to higher divisions, and while Deegan encourages players to seek other opportunities, it makes Colaco’s choice even more significant.

“So many guys from our program have gone on to division one schools, some power four schools. And Eric’s as good, if not better than any of those guys. And so Eric would have had options, but he chose to stay. And it’s not something we’ve ever talked about, to be honest, it’s not something that we had a long talk about, or I tried to persuade him or anything like that. He just decided to stay and kind of finish this thing through. I’m not someone who says that people who transfer are evil. If he chose [to transfer], I would have understood that too. But for Eric, for whatever his value system must be really clear to him,” he said.

RHS math teacher Stephen Wido coached Colaco during high school, helping him develop many skills that led him to success at the next level. Wido explained what it means to the high school program to have a former player achieve at such a high level.

“It just shows you that players develop at different paces. It shows our freshmen and sophomores that, ‘Hey, if  you keep developing and keep trusting that process. This is what you can become under the right dedication and tutelage. And not tooting our own horn, but it’s nice to have a Revere public school kid show up over some of the private schools. It’s nice to have our guy be in that spot,” he said.

Four years ago, Denison took a chance on an undersized recruit from Richfield. Colaco used the opportunity to build one of the most impressive resumes in the history of Division Three baseball. His success not only created the possibility of a career in the sport he loves but also established a legacy of success with the school that believed in him years ago.

This story was originally published on Lantern on April 21, 2025.