Byrd Lacrosse Coach Karl Mitchell Dies

The Byrd Yellow Jackets have suffered a loss.

Longtime lacrosse coach Karl Mitchell passed away.

Byrd Yellow Jackets lacrosse coach Karl Mitchell passed away this afternoon at the age of 48.

Mitchell brought a then unknown sport to the area in 1995 as he was the first person in the state of Louisiana to coach a lacrosse team at the high school level.

In recent years, he became a part of the Yellow Jackets family as he coached Byrd's team to success.

Mitchell arrived to Northwest Louisiana from The Citadel where he played lacrosse.

The voice of Yellow Jackets football, Charlie Cavell says on Mitchell's passing, "I'm still numb and in disbelief. Karl was a good friend. He was a great husband, father, coach, and mentor. My deepest condolences go out to Nia, the boys and Valentina. I can't imagine what they must be going through. As it related to Byrd lacrosse, how can you replace the man who brought the sport to Louisiana? Lacrosse's popularity has grown expoentially in the state and region and that can be traced to the work, dedication and love of one man, Karl Mitchell."