Boston University coach Jack Parker has been named the University’s first Executive Director of Athletics. He will continue as head hockey coach, a position he has held since 1973. Parker, who is now the winningest active coach in collegiate hockey, has also served as an assistant Director of Athletics for over a decade.
“Jack will become the chief strategist, advocate, and spokesman for varsity athletics at Boston University,” said President Jon Westling. “Gary Strickler will continue his outstanding work as Director of Athletics, now under Jack’s overall guidance, managing our varsity sports programs. Jack and Gary have been excellent and mutually supportive collaborators for many years. We are pleased that this team will continue to lead our Athletics Department.”
The school says Parker’s new role will focus in part on the University’s plans to develop new facilities for varsity ice hockey and student recreation in the Student Village complex at the site of the former Commonwealth Armory. Construction is nearing completion on a new tennis and track facility; demolition and construction of the main components will begin later this year. Parker has been playing an active role in planning and fundraising for the Student Village project.
In addition to his roles in coaching and in fundraising, Parker will work closely with Strickler and the University’s administration in planning for new sports, recruiting and retaining coaches, and ensuring the successful recruitment of outstanding student-athletes.
“I’m looking forward to becoming more involved with the strategic issues of the Athletics Department and to continuing to work closely with Gary Strickler,” Parker said. “Gary and I have had a terrific relationship through the years, and it will be easy to work together to plan the growth of the department in the future. I am especially glad I can do this while continuing to coach.”
Said Strickler, “Since becoming Director of Athletics, I have frequently looked to Jack for advice on policy and the direction of the Athletics Department. Jack has already been doing much of what his new role will entail. We have always had an excellent working relationship as well as a personal friendship, and I am looking forward to working together even more closely in the future.”
