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Kevin Pitra

BUFFALO, NY - Former University at Buffalo men's soccer player Kevin Pitra (Solon, OH/Solon) lost his battle with cancer on Wednesday, July 7, passing away at his home outside of Cleveland where he was surrounded by family. Pitra was 24 years old.

Friends will be received at the Tabone Funeral Home, 33650 Solon Road in Solon, OH on Saturday, July 10 from 7-9 pm and Sunday, July 11 from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm. Funeral services will take place on Monday, July 12 at 10 am at Holy Angels Catholic Church, 18205 Chillicothe Road in Chagrin Falls, OH.

Pitra was a four-year letterwinner on UB's men's soccer team, serving as team captain as a senior and graduating with honors with a degree in sociology in 2002. After being diagnosed with melanoma in the spring of 2003, he continued to work toward his master's degree at UB while serving as a graduate assistant in the Graduate School of Education. Pitra earned his master's degree in higher education administration in May.

Pitra served as vice-president of UB's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) while a member of the men's soccer team, and he was the team's Most Valuable Player and a third-team All-Region selection by the National Soccer Coaches Association as a senior in 2001. He also went on to play professionally with the St. Catharines Roma Wolves of the Canadian Premier Soccer League.

"Kevin has left behind a legacy of courage and hard work," said John Astudillo, head men's soccer coach at UB. "In four short years, he became not only one of the best defenders at UB, but also one of the best defenders in the Mid-American Conference. His two trademarks were hard work and diligence, and he was always the hardest worker on the field during practice and in games. He was a great captain and worked just as hard in the classroom as he did on the field. We're going to miss him dearly."