North Carolina State University Athletics
Wolfpack Family Says Goodbye to Gregory Parrish
9/12/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Gregory Parrish was remembered by friends and family today at a service at his church. The entire Wolfpack basketball team and coaching staff attended, with Andrew Brackman, Engin Atsur, Braxton Albritton and former player Will Roach serving as pallbearers. Former Wolfpack coach Herb Sendek took a red-eye flight in from the west coast to speak about his young friend.
“Greg was a special friend, an invaluable member of our basketball program and the quintessential ‘sixth-man,’” said Sendek. “He was selfless, loyal and courageous. Perhaps he was sent by Coach Valvano, because he made us all laugh, cry and think.”
One of Gregory’s best friends, however, could not attend. Ilian Evtimov is playing basketball in Italy, but has been in constant contact with the Parrishes since he left the United States. Ilian sat down and wrote the following words about his little friend and asked that it be shared with the Wolfpack family:
"Greg Parrish was the most inspiring individual I have ever met. He needs to be remembered not just as a tough kid who fought everyday to survive but also a member of the NC State basketball team for the past three years. Despite not being able to see, Greg would come to practices to watch us. On road games, he would be the first one on the bus. During the trip he would also come to walk-throughs to listen and watch once again. Walk-throughs are about the most boring thing that a team does, but Greg gave it a new meaning.
"While we waited for everyone to get to the designated room, Greg would once again be the first one in the room. He would make people smile and laugh while he is playing one-on-one with Andrew Brackman, tease Jordan Collins, or even joking with Coach Sendek. During team meals, we would hear Greg’s jokes. Every trip he had a different one for us. One of my all time favorite: “Why does a turtle cross the street? To go to the Shell station”.
"He was 100 percent part of our team, and he was 100 percent part of our success. No matter how bad or good I would play during a game, once I came off the court to sit on the bench, I would hear Lil' Greg's encouragement right behind the bench. His voice and words would instantly change the way I felt. Suddently, I look over my shoulder and see this kid that is giving everything he has to just be there. He made us realize that the problems we would have during our everyday routines were not problems, but just part of a great day.
"His character and presence had a huge impact on players and coaches. Life is not always fair, and we felt sorry for the things Greg had to go through, the pains, the surgeries, the inability to see... but Lil' Greg never felt sorry for himself. He always found a way to be a happy, and consequently made everyone around him happier. He was a true gift to the people that he came in contact with.
"He will be extremely missed. But his presence will last forever. If a person lived by the motto ‘Don’t give up, don’t ever give up!’, that was Gregory Parrish. He never gave up and showed more courage than anybody I know.”
“Greg was a special friend, an invaluable member of our basketball program and the quintessential ‘sixth-man,’” said Sendek. “He was selfless, loyal and courageous. Perhaps he was sent by Coach Valvano, because he made us all laugh, cry and think.”
One of Gregory’s best friends, however, could not attend. Ilian Evtimov is playing basketball in Italy, but has been in constant contact with the Parrishes since he left the United States. Ilian sat down and wrote the following words about his little friend and asked that it be shared with the Wolfpack family:
"Greg Parrish was the most inspiring individual I have ever met. He needs to be remembered not just as a tough kid who fought everyday to survive but also a member of the NC State basketball team for the past three years. Despite not being able to see, Greg would come to practices to watch us. On road games, he would be the first one on the bus. During the trip he would also come to walk-throughs to listen and watch once again. Walk-throughs are about the most boring thing that a team does, but Greg gave it a new meaning.
"While we waited for everyone to get to the designated room, Greg would once again be the first one in the room. He would make people smile and laugh while he is playing one-on-one with Andrew Brackman, tease Jordan Collins, or even joking with Coach Sendek. During team meals, we would hear Greg’s jokes. Every trip he had a different one for us. One of my all time favorite: “Why does a turtle cross the street? To go to the Shell station”.
"He was 100 percent part of our team, and he was 100 percent part of our success. No matter how bad or good I would play during a game, once I came off the court to sit on the bench, I would hear Lil' Greg's encouragement right behind the bench. His voice and words would instantly change the way I felt. Suddently, I look over my shoulder and see this kid that is giving everything he has to just be there. He made us realize that the problems we would have during our everyday routines were not problems, but just part of a great day.
"His character and presence had a huge impact on players and coaches. Life is not always fair, and we felt sorry for the things Greg had to go through, the pains, the surgeries, the inability to see... but Lil' Greg never felt sorry for himself. He always found a way to be a happy, and consequently made everyone around him happier. He was a true gift to the people that he came in contact with.
"He will be extremely missed. But his presence will last forever. If a person lived by the motto ‘Don’t give up, don’t ever give up!’, that was Gregory Parrish. He never gave up and showed more courage than anybody I know.”
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