Katch was born in Hollywood, California, in 1945. His father, Kurt Katch, was a Polish immigrant who worked as an actor in more than 50 motion pictures and 100 television programs. His mother, Roma Katch, was also a Polish immigrant who worked as a stage performer, acting coach and dialect teacher in Hollywood.
Katch graduated from Hollywood High School in 1963. He later attended the University of California, Berkeley where he received a master"s degree in physical educational and an Editor.D. degree in physical education.
He is a professor of movement science in the "s Division of Kinesiology and an associate professor of pediatric cardiology at the Medical School. He was also the first head coach of the Michigan Wolverines women"s basketball team, holding the position during the program"s development from 1973 to 1974. He received bachelor"s degrees in political science and physical education from California State University, Northridge in 1968.
After receiving his bachelor"s degree, he worked as a high school science teacher in Los Angeles and then Richmond, California.
After one year as an assistant professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara, Katch was hired by the as an assistant professor of physical education in 1972. He became an associate professor in 1975 and a full professor of physical education in 1980.
Since 1982, he has been both a professor of movement science in the "s Division of Kinesiology and an associate professor of pediatric cardiology at the School of Medicine. He served on the Executive Committee of the Division of Kinesiology Executive Committee from 1985 to 1990 and 1993 to 1994.
Katch has been an author or co-author of more than 125 published works.
He also wrote monthly columns in Shape ("Inside Exercise," 1982-1987), Muscle & Fitness ("Physiology and Exercise", 1982-1987), American Health ("Science of Exercise", 1985-1988), and Healthy Weight Journal ("Body Basics", 1994–present). Katch also served as the first head coach of the Michigan Wolverines women"s basketball team He held that position during the program"s inaugural season in 1974.
Katch had played basketball at Hollywood High School, where he was the team"s most valuable player and an all-league player.
He also played college basketball at Cal State Northridge and Uppsala University in Sweden while studying international relations. While at Uppsala, he was selected as the most valuable player in the A-2 Basketball League.
Katch"s 1974 Michigan women"s basketball team compiled a 3-8 record during Katch"s season as head coach. The program"s first game was a 73-35 loss to Michigan State on January 20, 1974.
Katch is married to Heather MacKenzie.
They have three children, Erika, Leslie, and Jesse.
