Former UD football player, Voice of Alter dies at 81

A former University of Dayton football player died Monday at the age of 81.

John A. "Jake" Parnell, of Kettering, was born in January 1937. He had a life-long love of football and began taking part in the sport at St. Edwards High School in Lakewood, Ohio, according to his obituary in the Dayton Daily News.

Parnell became a member of his high school’s “athletic hall of fame” and after graduating, he went on to attend the University of Dayton where he also played football and graduated with degrees in business and education.

Parnell started his career in 1964 as a teacher at Archbishop Alter High School. While there, Parnell also served as a coach, business manager and the “voice of the Golden Knights,” according to his obituary.

He retired in 2005 after 41 years at Arch Bishop High School.

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