North Florida Athletics Announces The Cagnassola Family Endowed Scholarship
7/9/2026 10:00:00 AM | General, Osprey Boosters
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – University of North Florida Athletics is excited to announce the establishment of the Cagnassola Family Endowed Scholarship on Thursday, a transformational investment that will support Osprey student-athletes pursuing careers in healthcare.
"The establishment of The Cagnassola Family Endowed Scholarship is a truly transformational gift that reflects the strength, resilience and compassion of the Cagnassola family," Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Nick Morrow said. "Inspired by their personal journey and deep connection to North Florida Athletics, this scholarship will create life-changing opportunities for our student-athletes pursuing careers in healthcare. By supporting future healthcare professionals, this endowment will help develop the next generation of leaders who embody perseverance, teamwork, and a commitment to serving others. We are incredibly grateful to Mark Cagnassola and his family for their vision, generosity and investment in our student-athletes. Their legacy will have a lasting impact on North Florida Athletics, the healthcare profession and the countless lives that will be touched by the individuals this scholarship helps prepare for success."
"The Cagnassola Family Endowed Scholarship was created in gratitude for the strength, faith and resilience that carried our family throughout our bone marrow transplant journey," Mark Cagnassola added. "We experienced firsthand the extraordinary care and compassion of those who dedicate their lives to healing others. This scholarship supports North Florida student-athletes pursuing careers in healthcare – especially those connected to Mayo Clinic – who embody perseverance, teamwork and a commitment to making a difference in the lives of others."
A name synonymous with North Florida Athletics, Cagnassola was the first-ever scholarship student-athlete for the Men's Soccer program in 1991.
Cagnassola was inducted into the North Florida Athletics Hall of Fame in 2025.
Cagnassola is a two-time graduate from the University of North Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration in 1995 and Master's degree in Public Administration in 1997. Cagnassola, in addition to his wife Micah and son Hank, have continued their dedicated support of North Florida Athletics. He served as the Osprey Club President for several years and remains toward the top of the program record books in career matches played, points and assists. Cagnassola has remained in Jacksonville, where he has served the community and North Florida Athletics staff as a financial advisor for over two decades.
The Cagnassola Family Endowed Scholarship honors the strength, faith and resilience that carried Mark, Micah and Hank through a bone marrow transplant experience at Mayo Clinic. Inspired by the compassion demonstrated by students completing clinical experiences, the family chose to establish an endowment that will impact generations of future healthcare professionals.
The scholarship will support student-athletes in healthcare, particularly those connected to Mayo Clinic, who embody perseverance, teamwork and a commitment to making a difference in the lives of others.
The scholarship will provide fellowship opportunities for student-athletes pursuing graduate degrees in nursing and athletic training. It will emphasize hands-on clinical learning experiences through North Florida Athletics and its healthcare partners. Through this investment, the scholarship strengthens the pipeline of highly qualified nurses and athletic trainers, while reinforcing the commitment to developing leaders in the healthcare profession.
Those who wish to support the Cagnassola Family Endowed Scholarship can contribute through the link above or here.
To learn more about how to support the Cagnassola Family Endowed Scholarship, please contact Director of Planned Giving Leigh Palmer at (904) 620-5396 or l.palmer@unf.edu, or Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development Derek Marinatos at derek.marinatos@unf.edu.
"The establishment of The Cagnassola Family Endowed Scholarship is a truly transformational gift that reflects the strength, resilience and compassion of the Cagnassola family," Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Nick Morrow said. "Inspired by their personal journey and deep connection to North Florida Athletics, this scholarship will create life-changing opportunities for our student-athletes pursuing careers in healthcare. By supporting future healthcare professionals, this endowment will help develop the next generation of leaders who embody perseverance, teamwork, and a commitment to serving others. We are incredibly grateful to Mark Cagnassola and his family for their vision, generosity and investment in our student-athletes. Their legacy will have a lasting impact on North Florida Athletics, the healthcare profession and the countless lives that will be touched by the individuals this scholarship helps prepare for success."
"The Cagnassola Family Endowed Scholarship was created in gratitude for the strength, faith and resilience that carried our family throughout our bone marrow transplant journey," Mark Cagnassola added. "We experienced firsthand the extraordinary care and compassion of those who dedicate their lives to healing others. This scholarship supports North Florida student-athletes pursuing careers in healthcare – especially those connected to Mayo Clinic – who embody perseverance, teamwork and a commitment to making a difference in the lives of others."
A name synonymous with North Florida Athletics, Cagnassola was the first-ever scholarship student-athlete for the Men's Soccer program in 1991.
Cagnassola was inducted into the North Florida Athletics Hall of Fame in 2025.
Cagnassola is a two-time graduate from the University of North Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration in 1995 and Master's degree in Public Administration in 1997. Cagnassola, in addition to his wife Micah and son Hank, have continued their dedicated support of North Florida Athletics. He served as the Osprey Club President for several years and remains toward the top of the program record books in career matches played, points and assists. Cagnassola has remained in Jacksonville, where he has served the community and North Florida Athletics staff as a financial advisor for over two decades.
The Cagnassola Family Endowed Scholarship honors the strength, faith and resilience that carried Mark, Micah and Hank through a bone marrow transplant experience at Mayo Clinic. Inspired by the compassion demonstrated by students completing clinical experiences, the family chose to establish an endowment that will impact generations of future healthcare professionals.
The scholarship will support student-athletes in healthcare, particularly those connected to Mayo Clinic, who embody perseverance, teamwork and a commitment to making a difference in the lives of others.
The scholarship will provide fellowship opportunities for student-athletes pursuing graduate degrees in nursing and athletic training. It will emphasize hands-on clinical learning experiences through North Florida Athletics and its healthcare partners. Through this investment, the scholarship strengthens the pipeline of highly qualified nurses and athletic trainers, while reinforcing the commitment to developing leaders in the healthcare profession.
Those who wish to support the Cagnassola Family Endowed Scholarship can contribute through the link above or here.
To learn more about how to support the Cagnassola Family Endowed Scholarship, please contact Director of Planned Giving Leigh Palmer at (904) 620-5396 or l.palmer@unf.edu, or Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development Derek Marinatos at derek.marinatos@unf.edu.
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