When former Boston University star and Olympic champion Mike Eruzione saw that Terriers coach Jack Parker was calling him on Sunday, he said he had a strong inkling as to why.
He found out what will be announced formally Monday at a 3 p.m. news conference at Agganis Arena — that Parker is stepping down as head hockey coach when this season, his 40th on the job, is over.
Comments
Jackie Parker is a Boston Icon. It is unfortunate that things unravelled in the past 2 years. His record of achievement is 'up there' with all time Boston coaching greats such as Red Auerbach.
40 years is forever, and when we see so many coaches lasting 4 years or so at any one school. it is a testament to his success and value added. My guess is that countless hockey player alums will testify to him, as Eruzione has in this article, good for him.
In the end, he is probably responsible for a good percentage of the brand awareness and success that B.U. has enjoyed. Certainly when people think of B.U. athletically, the first word is "Hockey", followed by "Winners" and "Olympics".
We should all have such a legacy....
Go BU.
He did not committ the sexual assaults so why should he be blamed. Blame the two losers and the parents that raised these moron.
Why I would expect the Boston Globe to mention the arrests of two BU hockey players last season in this article, it is also journalistically disappointing not to include the outcomes of those two cases. The charges were dismissed in one case and severely reduced in the other. That should have been included in this article, and any subsequent articles where the arrests are mentioned.
No coach, professor or parent can control what their adult athletes, students and children can do while they are on their own time. The best they can do is provide guidance and a structure for them to make good decisions on their own.
Jack Parker has touched so many, in such a positive way, for such a longer time. It is difficult to think about Boston University without also thinking about Jack Parker, who has been the public face of the institution for many years. He was a legend long before he contemplated retiring.
Agganis Arena, including the Jack Parker Rink, is a fitting legacy that he leaves behind.
The ironic part of this "retirement" is that through self imposed pressure to continue winning, apathy or just lack of common sense oversight Coach Parker's stellar career comes to an unfortunate end. His legacy has already been long established and therefore there was no reason for recruting, retaining or supplying cover for bad characters and a continued lack of discipline at the very least (especially in these PC times). Thanks for, (most of), the memories Jack and good luck down the road.