The University of Akron Athletics
Hall of Fame
Charles Parnell
- Induction:
- 1988
- Class:
- 1979
1974-77
Football
‘79
When Jim Dennison became head coach in 1973, one if the first athletes he recruited was Akron Garfield’s Charles Parnell. However, the greatness Dennison saw in Parnell, who went on to earn four letters, had to be delayed one year due to knee surgery. Beginning in 1974, Parnell was a part-time starter in the Zip secondary. As a sophomore he solidly established himself as a defensive stalwart by leading the secondary with 100 tackles and three fumble recoveries as UA won seven of 11 games. As a member of the 1979 squad, Parnell helped guide UA to its most productive season in 88 years of football on campus. The Zip gridders compiled a 10-3 mark and finished national runner-up to Montana State in the NCAA II playoffs. Enroute, Parnelll was in on 87 tackles, had three interceptions, one returned for a TDD, and recovered two fumbles. Parnell closed his excellent career as tri-captain of the 1977 team that was 6-4-1. Besides recovering three fumbles and topping the secondary in tackles again with 86, his five interceptions, including another return for a score, helped UA establish an all-time record of 26 that still stands today. His efforts earned him the team’s Most Valuable Defensive Player Award.
Football
‘79
When Jim Dennison became head coach in 1973, one if the first athletes he recruited was Akron Garfield’s Charles Parnell. However, the greatness Dennison saw in Parnell, who went on to earn four letters, had to be delayed one year due to knee surgery. Beginning in 1974, Parnell was a part-time starter in the Zip secondary. As a sophomore he solidly established himself as a defensive stalwart by leading the secondary with 100 tackles and three fumble recoveries as UA won seven of 11 games. As a member of the 1979 squad, Parnell helped guide UA to its most productive season in 88 years of football on campus. The Zip gridders compiled a 10-3 mark and finished national runner-up to Montana State in the NCAA II playoffs. Enroute, Parnelll was in on 87 tackles, had three interceptions, one returned for a TDD, and recovered two fumbles. Parnell closed his excellent career as tri-captain of the 1977 team that was 6-4-1. Besides recovering three fumbles and topping the secondary in tackles again with 86, his five interceptions, including another return for a score, helped UA establish an all-time record of 26 that still stands today. His efforts earned him the team’s Most Valuable Defensive Player Award.
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