Dublin head Basketball and Cross Country Coach Will Parker announced that he would be heading to Brownwood next year to head those programs at the 4A school there.
Parker said he is excited about the new role. “They have basketball year round so we’ll be practicing from August to May,” he said. “That’s something I haven’t done before.”
Even though he’s excited for the move, he admitted he will miss the students and community of Dublin ISD, which he has served as basketball coach for six years and cross country coach for five.
“I think the biggest highlight is just developing relationships with the kids and getting to know the coaches,” he said.
The program has developed bonds among its players, staff and families and the central focus for the 2020-2021 school year was “Chop Wood, Carry Water”, a book by Joshua Medcalf about the struggles and perseverance a man faces in becoming a samurai warrior.
“The book teaches that you’ve got to love the process [of practicing and getting better],” Parker said. “It really is the perfect book for basketball.”
With 26 chapters in the book and 27 games in their season, Parker had different members of the community (including former players) record themselves reading each chapter and sharing their own observations. The guided reading became part of the players’ Fellowship of Christian Athletes routine this year as an appropriate Bible verse was picked to accompany each chapter.
Several slogans developed from the reading and were put on wristbands for players to remember the lessons. It was DHS alum and former basketball player Brady Moore who decided that ‘Chop Wood Carry Water’ should be featured on playoff shirts as the team advanced all the way through Area.
This legacy and lesson were honored during Thursday’s athletic awards as player Chris Teten presented Parker with a special axe and pail emblazoned with the slogan, on behalf of the team.
Parker said his wife, Leah (the current counselor at DHS), will teach speech at Brownwood and hopefully move into a counseling position there.
Parker expressed his gratitude to Superintendent Rodney Schneider and Athletic Director Bob Cervetto for taking a chance on him and to the Dublin community and friends at Cottonwood Baptist Church, who have been “nothing but supportive.”
Parker said Dublin native Wes Grisham will be stepping up to head the basketball and cross country programs next year.
“He’s going to be a great,” Parker said. “He’s been with me for past couple of years, and I think he’s going to be able to take it to next level He’s got kids that are excited to play basketball. That excitement is fun to work with.”