A graduate of Templeton Secondary School in East Vancouver, Kato originally joined the BC Lions as a ball boy at the age of 13. He would be hired by the organization as an assistant equipment manager in 1984 before being promoted to equipment manager during the championship season of 1994, a role he remains in as of 2017.
Kato has also lent his experience and time in supporting amateur football activities, assisting young players and their clubs across the province with their equipment needs as well as hosting amateur players at the BC Lions Training Facility during the off-season for camps and other functions.
Alongside Bill Reichelt, Kato has played a major role in ensuring BC Lions players and coaches have enjoyed such a tight bond over the years by making the locker room atmosphere one of the best in the CFL. Kato passed away on April 24, 2019.
