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Parker named new athletics director

By Shawn Linenberger - | Jun 5, 2002

Brandon Parker will be even more involved in his second year with the Tonganoxie athletics department.

During a special meeting Tuesday night, the Tonganoxie school board approved Parker as its next athletics director, replacing John Lee, who’s taken a job in at Park Hill (Mo.) High School .

Parker, who will have a part-time contract with the school, last year, was assistant volleyball and freshman boys basketball coach.

His background fits the job description of athletics director.

The McPherson native earned a bachelor’s degree in sports administration in 1997 from the University of Kansas, and he has worked in several areas within the KU athletics department.

He was the account executive for the Jayhawk football team and created Terry’s Team, named for former coach Terry Allen. That group was for underprivileged youth and was sponsored by various businesses. He also directed two Late Night with Roy Williams. Those annual events included skits and practices for the KU men’s and women’s basketball teams.

When Parker arrived at the university, his intention was to seek a history degree. He also wanted to coach. That changed, to some degree, during his stay at the university.

“Coming to KU, I found other opportunities,” he said. “Now, I’ve come full circle.”

He’s working in both history and sports. He’s taken classes at Johnson County Community College and hopes to complete a degree in education in about two years. He also has worked as a substitute teacher at Tonganoxie High School and worked with students in in-school suspension.

Parker is ready to go to work.

“I’m excited,” he said. “Not too many people get to find work in their majors.”