It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Drew Pariano, a remarkable athlete, mentor, and friend. Drew, a 1995 graduate of Fairview High School and a member of the Fairview Alumni Hall of Fame Class of 2008, was a three-time Ohio High School Wrestling State Champion, a three-time Big Ten placer, and a three-time NCAA Tournament qualifier. He also served as a respected Head Coach at Northwestern University, where he inspired countless athletes and left a lasting legacy in the wrestling community.
Drew’s impact extended far beyond his impressive accomplishments on the mat. He was a mentor, a teacher, and a guiding force for those fortunate enough to train with him or be coached by him. Colleagues, teammates, and students remember Drew as someone who combined discipline, dedication, and an infectious love for the sport with compassion, patience, and genuine care for every individual he worked with. His mentorship shaped lives, instilled confidence, and taught lessons in resilience, integrity, and perseverance—values that will live on through everyone he influenced.
Beyond his professional and athletic achievements, Drew was admired for his warmth, humor, and generosity of spirit. Friends and loved ones recall his ability to lift spirits with laughter, provide guidance with sincerity, and always be a steadfast presence in moments of both challenge and triumph. He took time to invest in people, whether encouraging an athlete to push through self-doubt, mentoring a colleague, or sharing moments of joy and camaraderie with friends. His legacy is not only measured in championships or accolades but in the lives he touched and the hearts he shaped.
As we grieve this tremendous loss, our thoughts and condolences go out to Drew’s family, friends, teammates, students, and the entire wrestling community. His memory will live on in the lessons he taught, the inspiration he provided, and the countless stories of perseverance, dedication, and friendship he leaves behind.
Drew Pariano will be remembered not only as a champion athlete and accomplished coach but as a mentor, a friend, and a remarkable human being whose spirit enriched the lives of all who knew him. Though he has left us far too soon, his legacy will endure—carried forward in the wrestling mats, martial arts studios, and hearts of those he inspired. May his family and loved ones find comfort in knowing that Drew’s influence and the lives he shaped will never be forgotten.
