In an anecdote first posted to his personal Facebook page, Michael Powell recalls his first time meeting Rob Kavovit, who died recently at 45. The Syracuse attackman was a three-time All-American and an NCAA champion in 1995. With permission from Powell, we are sharing his tribute to Kavovit exactly as it appeared on Facebook.

It was such an exciting time when my Brother Casey went off to Syracuse to play on the '95 team. I actually remember the feeling very well and cherish it. I was really proud of Casey and was anxious to see how he would do at that level - but selfishly - I was excited because it meant that I now had front row seats to the greatest lacrosse show on the planet.

During fall ball Casey's freshman year he called home and I got on the phone. He said, "Mike, wait until you see this guy Rob Kavovit play! He is sooooo smooth! And he's small just like you."  I asked if he was a righty or a lefty and Casey replied, "he's both."

The '95 team would go on to win the National Championship that year - I was at every game (even made a few practices).  I got to watch Kavo play up close and personal - what an honor. It was a masterclass in how to play attack. I examined his every move from the minute he came out of the tunnel.  His helmet worn low, mouth piece dangling off his mask, the oversized #15 jersey hanging off his shoulders that looked like a cape when he'd run, the gray under shirt untucked, the black shoes & to this day the smoothest stick handling I've EVER seen.  

Needless to say, he quickly became my favorite player to watch.  If you want to know where I was from 1995-1998 I was in the backyard pretending I was Rob Kavovit. In fact, If you see a picture of me playing lacrosse at any point in my career (from youth box to pro) you will most likely see my helmet worn low (like Kavo), my undershirt untucked (like Kavo), mouth piece in the side of my mouth (like Kavo), and my jersey worn big (like Kavo). He played with such a relaxed fluidity that just seemed so natural and organic.  He played the game with pure style.  It just seem to flow through him, nothing ever forced.

The first time I got to meet him I was a nervous 12 year old.  Casey brought me into the locker room after his first game in the dome. The whole team was running around hootin' and hollarin' celebrating their big home opener win. All but Kavo. He was just chilling out in front of his locker with a big smile on his face. Knowing how obsessed I was with Kavo's game, Casey leaned over to me and said, "go talk to him."  So I slowly and awkwardly made my way to his locker. "Have a seat" he said quietly. "You're Casey's brother, he told me you can throw behind the backs with both hands. Do you want to play catch?"  He pulled out two sticks and we had a small catch in the locker room, a catch that meant the absolute world to me and one I'll never ever forget.

It was apparent, even in that short interaction that his game matched his personality perfectly. Relaxed, smooth & organic. So gentle and kind with a warmth that was just so easy to be around.

Kavo, in short, thank you.