1LT Prasnicki deployed to Afghanistan on June 22, 2012 as a Platoon Leader for the 4th Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team. He was killed in action just five days later on June 27, 2012.
In honor of their fallen hero, 1st Lt. Stephen “Chase” Prasnicki, the Prasnicki family were welcomed at the United States Military Academy, West Point, with a lot of love and support from the West Point Executive Athletic Director, Bob Beretta, the Army Black Knights Coaching Staff, the Superintendent, the Commandant, and the entire CBS Sports crew, including the on-air talent and everyone working behind the scenes.
From tours of the Hall of Fame and the Football facilities, to spending time with the Hockey Coach, who has lost two of his former players in service, to behind the scenes tours of the CBS Sports truck and being able to visit with the CBS Sports broadcast team who incorporated the story of Chase into segments of their broadcast.
The Prasnicki family was able to honor their beloved Chase on the field of Michie Stadium; the field where he played just a few short years ago, where he would lead the team who called him "Nitro" out of the tunnel. Always a spirit leader on the sidelines he was often seen trying to keep his team's morale high in every game.
The Prasnicki family were given a standing ovation from the entire student body, along with a full stadium of alumni and fans. This was Chase's father's first game back since his son was killed in Afghanistan in 2012.
Army won the game 21-17.