THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 24, 1995 TAG: 9512220196
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Rebecca A. Myers
LENGTH: Long : 112 lines
At the time Bob Parker was offered the job of head football coach at Indian River High School nearly three years ago, the Braves had had only two losing seasons in 17 years.
On the other hand, Cradock and Churchland - the two teams Parker had coached for a total of 13 years - were considered underdogs, winning only 43 of 113 games under his auspices.
The two Portsmouth high schools were also smaller, which meant football teams with fewer players than Indian River.
So when Parker was asked to take the job at the Chesapeake high school, uncertainty set in and he initially declined the invitation.
``Over the years, I always wished I could work at a school with that kind of talent,'' said Parker, 46, ``and when I got the opportunity, it seemed that I got cold feet.''
Parker reconsidered the proposal after enduring three agonizing days of the cold shoulder from his wife, Peggy, and his assistant coach, Scott Johnson, who both thought he was making a mistake.
Parker then decided to accept.
Three seasons and 32 wins later, Parker's self-confidence has been revived. It skyrocketed the day his team won the Group AAA, Division 6 state championship about two weeks ago in Manassas, Va.
``I was relieved that we won, but the real excitement didn't come until the next day,'' said Parker of the state title won on Dec. 9.
``I got home late Saturday night, and we had some friends over,'' he said. ``We didn't have a big party or anything. We just hung out for a while. Then I got up Sunday morning and once I saw the paper, I was racing after that.''
A 1967 graduate of Cradock High School, Parker was a lineman under head football coach Larry Weldon. He later majored in physical education, receiving his degree from Eastern Kentucky University in 1971.
For eight seasons, from 1973 to 1980, he was the assistant football coach at Churchland. The lifelong resident of Portsmouth then became head coach at his alma mater from 1980 to 1988. One of Parker's fondest coaching memories, he said, came during his nine-year stint at Cradock.
``The first really good time at Cradock was when we had to play Great Bridge,'' Parker recalled. ``They were undefeated, and we beat them out there at their homecoming. That was when we really began to see the turnaround at Cradock.''
Parker led Cradock to its only playoff appearance in 1986.
Three years later, he returned to Churchland as head coach, where he experienced his worst coaching moment.
``I have the dubious honor of holding the record of having the most points scored against my team,'' said Parker, referring to his 77-0 defeat to Wilson High School under coach Darnell Moore.
Through the years, Parker has coached some outstanding athletes: Ronnie Mills at Cradock, Tony Morrison and James Boyd at Indian River - to name just a few.
``There were a lot of real good athletes,'' said Parker. ``Some bigger, some faster, but I think those are probably the top three.''
Parker sees similarities among all three of the high schools at which he has coached and taught physical education.
``To me, kids are kids,'' he said. ``It's just a different color uniform that they put on.''
Indian River High School, however, is different in one way, he noted.
``They have that background of a winning tradition,'' he said.
Name: Robert F. Parker.
Nickname: Coach ``P.''
Neighborhood: Hatton Point.
Number of years in Portsmouth: 46.
Birthplace: Portsmouth.
Birthdate: Jan. 9, 1949.
Occupation: Teacher/head football coach, Indian River High School.
What job other than your own would you like? First mayor of Tidewater.
Marital status: Married to Peggy for 27 years.
Children: Meredith, 22, Lisa P. Lutz, 21, and Paul Lutz (son-in-law), 21.
Grandchildren: Parker David Lutz, 11 months.
Fondest childhood memory: As a young boy, being on the practice field with coach (Larry) Weldon as his team manager.
First concert: Rolling Stones at the Virginia Beach Dome in 1966.
What song or book title best describes your life? James Brown's ``I Feel Good.''
If you won the lottery, what's the very first thing you'd buy? My football team has already given me something money can't buy.
If you could trade places for just one day with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? My brother, John G. Parker, because he is the hardest working person I know, and he is the most caring and supportive brother one could have.
Biggest accomplishment: I have two: 1. Bringing the Cradock High School football team back to respectability. 2. Winning the Virginia State Football Championship this year.
Most embarrassing moment: As a coach at Churchland High School, losing 77-0 to Wilson High School, coached by Darnell Moore.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? As my wife would say, procrastinating in everything unless it has to do with football.
Perfect way to spend the day: In Mathews County, where my parents were born, visiting with my relatives and hearing all the ``old days'' stories.
I can't resist: Peanut M & Ms.
Favorite Portsmouth restaurant: Didio's.
Favorite Portsmouth hangout: Home with Peggy since I spend so much time coaching football and weight-lifting.
Biggest problem facing Portsmouth: Lack of revenue.
If you had three wishes for Portsmouth, what would they be?
More industry.
Citywide understanding.
Cooperation.
Other than its small-town atmosphere, what do you like about living in Portsmouth? Family, friends and the quiet neighborhood we live in. ILLUSTRATION: Bob Parker
Staff photo by MORT FRYMAN
by CNB