Patch Athlete of the Week: BC High's Bartley Regan

A Division 1 high school athlete may choose his or her school for any number of reasons. For BC High quarterback Bartley Regan, who will enter his senior season this year and also plays hockey and baseball for the Eagles, those reasons provided some conflict as he neared high school.

A West Roxbury native, Regan grew up in the shadow of and even went to CM for seventh and eighth grade. One connection ran even deeper, however: Regan is the grandson of the late Jim Cotter, a 1955 BC High graduate who went on to coach the Varsity football program for 40 years (1964-2004), winning two Division 1 Super Bowls in the process. That legacy was enough to lure Regan away from the neighborhood for his high school years, taking on the role of one of the Knights' top rivals rather than one of their assets.

Regan spoke with Patch about the legacy of his grandfather, playing against CM, and the busy schedule required of a three sport star.

Can you describe how it feels to carry on your grandfather's legacy with the football team and at the school?

Regan: My grandfather led me to BC High because he was the head football coach there for the majority of his life. Carrying on my grandfathers legacy at BC High is an honor and I try my best to do what he would everyday.

You grew up and spent your whole life in West Roxbury. Is it strange for you when you take to the field or the ice against Catholic Conference rival Catholic Memorial? Do you get any added motivation out of those games?

Regan: I used to go to CM when I was a seventh and eighth grader. Then I transferred to BC High...I know all the kids on CM's athletic teams so I feel like its an even bigger rivalry than just a Catholic Conference rivalry.

Today, in youth and high school athletics, they say the era of the stereotypical three-sport athlete is dying. Why has this not applied for you?

Regan: I feel like I have always played three or more sports throughout my childhood. I love playing sports but at the high school level it is a hard thing to manage. I feel like my academics will be effected if I am not playing a sport.

In football, as the quarterback, you’re sort of always in the limelight. Is it difficult to be more of a role player in hockey and baseball once football season ends?

Regan: Being a quarterback compared to hockey and baseball is not much different because I always want to do my best and inspire my teammates to do theirs as well

Did you play in any Parkway youth athletic leagues growing up? How did they help you develop as an athlete?

Regan: I played for Hyde Park in hockey. I played Little League baseball for Parkway. I never played football until seventh grade, but I started playing quarterback when I transferred to BC High. I think that Parkway did help me in baseball because it showed me how to have fun in athletics, but also made me a better player.

As you enter your senior year, have you established any athletic goals?

Regan: Entering senior year my goals are to win at least one state championship.

Want to nominate a Patch Athlete of the Week? Contact Adam Vaccaro at adamtvaccaro@gmail.com.