Eastern Michigan Athletics
Vote For Bob Parks As A 2019 Michigan Sports Hall Of Fame Class Inductee
4/18/2019 2:00:00 PM | Men's Track & Field
Parks among five coaching candidates eligible to be inducted to the hall of fame
Vote for Bob Parks here
BIRMINGHAM, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) - The Michigan Sports Hall of Fame, believed to be the oldest State Sports Hall of Fame in the United States, announced its 2019 Ballot for public voting Tuesday, April 16, open through April 30. E-Club Hall of Fame, Mid-American Conference Hall of Fame, and former Eastern Michigan University Men's Track and Field Coach Bob Parks is among five candidates eligible for the nod.
The 2019 class will be determined by a group of veteran sports journalists, select college and professional sports administrators, MSHOF members, and a public online vote, with final determinations ultimately approved by the Hall's Board of Directors.
Fans can vote for Coach Parks here, giving him a score of "10" as the most worthy candidate for induction this upcoming year. Voting ends at midnight, April 30.
During Parks' career, Eastern Michigan cross country compiled a dual-meet record of 132-24-1 for a .843 winning percentage. EMU was 75-16 (.824) in MAC action and has won nine MAC titles (1973, 1974, 1986, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 2000). The Eagles went undefeated 11 times (1970, 1972, 1973, 1979, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994) in dual meet action during his tenure. They competed just as well on a national level. In his first five years, Parks led Eastern to the NAIA and/or NCAA Division II Championship meet every year and won the 1967 and 1970 NAIA National Championship and the 1970 NCAA Division II National title.
After joining the MAC and moving up to the NCAA Division I status in 1972, EMU won two district championships (1973, 1974) and qualified for the NCAA Championship meet seven times with the best finish coming in 1974 with a sixth place finish. Parks' teams qualified for a national championship meet (NAIA, NCAA I, II) nine times in his first 10 years. Eastern also won seven Central Collegiate Conference crowns and nine Michigan Intercollegiate Championships. Parks was named MAC Coach of the Year seven times (1973, 1973, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2000), was five-time CCC Coach of the Year (1973, 1974, 1985, 1995, 1997) and twice honored as NCAA District Coach of the Year (1973, 1974).
The 88-year-old Parks (9-6-30) was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., and grew up in Howell, Mich. At Howell High School, he played football, basketball, baseball and track. and was the Michigan high school Class B State Champion in the 440-yard dash. He was a three-time letterwinner in track at Michigan Normal College (now EMU), won the 1952 IIAC 880-yard run and was a member of the mile relay team that held the school record for 14 years.
About the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame Induction Classes
The Michigan Sports Hall of Fame Induction Classes are made up of memorable contributors from multiple sports that have achieved prominence and represented their teams, schools and the State of Michigan.
About The Michigan Sports Hall of Fame
The Michigan Sports Hall of Fame was organized in 1954 by Lt. Governor Philip A. Hart, Michigan State University Athletic Director Biggie Munn, Donald Weeks, President of the Greater Michigan Foundation, W. Nicholas Kerbawy, General Manager of the Detroit Lions, and George Alderton of the Lansing State Journal who conceived of the project. It is believed to be the oldest State Sports Hall of Fame in the United States, having elected its inaugural Class in 1955.
BIRMINGHAM, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) - The Michigan Sports Hall of Fame, believed to be the oldest State Sports Hall of Fame in the United States, announced its 2019 Ballot for public voting Tuesday, April 16, open through April 30. E-Club Hall of Fame, Mid-American Conference Hall of Fame, and former Eastern Michigan University Men's Track and Field Coach Bob Parks is among five candidates eligible for the nod.
The 2019 class will be determined by a group of veteran sports journalists, select college and professional sports administrators, MSHOF members, and a public online vote, with final determinations ultimately approved by the Hall's Board of Directors.
Fans can vote for Coach Parks here, giving him a score of "10" as the most worthy candidate for induction this upcoming year. Voting ends at midnight, April 30.
During Parks' career, Eastern Michigan cross country compiled a dual-meet record of 132-24-1 for a .843 winning percentage. EMU was 75-16 (.824) in MAC action and has won nine MAC titles (1973, 1974, 1986, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 2000). The Eagles went undefeated 11 times (1970, 1972, 1973, 1979, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994) in dual meet action during his tenure. They competed just as well on a national level. In his first five years, Parks led Eastern to the NAIA and/or NCAA Division II Championship meet every year and won the 1967 and 1970 NAIA National Championship and the 1970 NCAA Division II National title.
After joining the MAC and moving up to the NCAA Division I status in 1972, EMU won two district championships (1973, 1974) and qualified for the NCAA Championship meet seven times with the best finish coming in 1974 with a sixth place finish. Parks' teams qualified for a national championship meet (NAIA, NCAA I, II) nine times in his first 10 years. Eastern also won seven Central Collegiate Conference crowns and nine Michigan Intercollegiate Championships. Parks was named MAC Coach of the Year seven times (1973, 1973, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2000), was five-time CCC Coach of the Year (1973, 1974, 1985, 1995, 1997) and twice honored as NCAA District Coach of the Year (1973, 1974).
The 88-year-old Parks (9-6-30) was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., and grew up in Howell, Mich. At Howell High School, he played football, basketball, baseball and track. and was the Michigan high school Class B State Champion in the 440-yard dash. He was a three-time letterwinner in track at Michigan Normal College (now EMU), won the 1952 IIAC 880-yard run and was a member of the mile relay team that held the school record for 14 years.
About the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame Induction Classes
The Michigan Sports Hall of Fame Induction Classes are made up of memorable contributors from multiple sports that have achieved prominence and represented their teams, schools and the State of Michigan.
About The Michigan Sports Hall of Fame
The Michigan Sports Hall of Fame was organized in 1954 by Lt. Governor Philip A. Hart, Michigan State University Athletic Director Biggie Munn, Donald Weeks, President of the Greater Michigan Foundation, W. Nicholas Kerbawy, General Manager of the Detroit Lions, and George Alderton of the Lansing State Journal who conceived of the project. It is believed to be the oldest State Sports Hall of Fame in the United States, having elected its inaugural Class in 1955.
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