Nick Evanoff is the head lacrosse coach and athletic specialist for Mohawk Valley Community College. Mike Parnell, the head men’s lacrosse coach at Utica College and a founder of the Pioneers lacrosse program, has been a mentor to Evanoff for many years.

"Mike actually recruited me out of high school," Evanoff said. "I went to Cicero-North Syracuse High School in Syracuse and Mike recruited me back in the fall of my junior year, so fall 2001."

Over the next several years, Evanoff had the chance to play and eventually work with Coach Parnell.

"It was scary sometimes just how in sync we were. One of us would have a thought and the other person would say it," said Evanoff.

Despite Evanoff leaving UC, he says he and Parnell stayed close.

"He was at my mom’s house for Thanksgiving meals sometimes and stuff like that. Mike was part of the extended family," he said

Sadly, Parnell passed away on December 2 at 45-years-old.

"We had some great games. We had some tough ones. Unfortunately, Mike fell just short of that 100 career win as a head coach before he passed," said Evanoff.

Evanoff said he’s remembering Parnell for his energy, his upbeat attitude and how he always had people’s backs.

"He put blood, sweat and tears into that job because that was his family. Mike was an only child whose parents passed when he was in college so that was his family," said Evanoff.

Evanoff says Parnell lived his life by the words, 'Live it. Love it.'

"I learned so much from Mike as a human being and as a coach. It’s something I’ll cherish forever," he said.

According to Utica College’s website, Parnell guided 48 All-Conference selections and several players into record books during his tenure.