Robert Parks

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Coach Bob Parks brings his vast experience backed by his 34-year career as Eastern Michigan University's men's Track and Field and Cross Country coach to Athenian Athletics.

With Park's guidance, his teams won a total of 31 Mid-American Conference titles. He was named MAC Coach of the year 22 times. His teams won six NAIA and NCAA team titles and he was named NCAA National Coach of the Year once and regional Coach of the Year nine times.

Throughout his career at EMU, he has coached eight athletes who have completed in 13 Olympics Games. These athletics include such Track and Field greats as, Hasely Crawford winner of the Gold Medal in the 100 meters at the 1976 Olympics, Earl Jones winner of the Bronze Medal in the 800-meters in 1984 and Clement Chukwu winner of the Silver Medal as part of a 1600-meter relay team in the 2000 Games.

Parks concluded his coaching career by leading the men's cross country team to the 2000 Mid-American Conference Championship, a second-place finish in the NCAA Regional and a 20th place finish in the NCAA Championship, was one of five inductees into the United States Track Coaches Association (USTCA) Hall of Fame.

The USTCA represents the nation's men's and women's Cross Country and Track and Field coaches

Parks was born in Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania and grew up in Howell , Michigan . At Howell High School he played football, basketball, baseball and track, and was Michigan High School Class B State Champion in the 440-yard dash.

He was a three-time letter winner in track at Michigan Normal College (now EMU), won the 15951 IIAC 880-yard run, and was a member of the mile relay team that held the school record for 14 years.

He coached nine years of High School in Michigan before becoming assistant coach at Western Michigan in 1961. He aided the Broncos to numerous MAC and CCC titles as well as two NCAA Division I Championships in Cross Country.

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