BU's Parker to Retire at Season's End

Boston University head coach Jack Parker will be hanging up his whistle and clipboard when the 2012-13 college hockey season concludes.

“It’s been a great run,” Parker said at USCHO.com on Monday, his 68th birthday, on publicly announcing his retirement from coaching. “I’ve had a great time doing it.”

A former Terrier letterman and assistant coach, Parker has been at the helm of his alma mater for 40 consecutive seasons. There was a brief flirtation with the NHL’s Boston Bruins in the 1990s; but he ultimately remained behind the Terrier bench, and has led BU to three NCAA national titles (1978, 1995 and 2009), seven Hockey East Tournament championships, 21 Beanpot Tournament crowns, and a record 25 NCAA Tournament appearances.

Parker also coached the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" U.S. Olympic quartet of Jim Craig, Mike Eruzione, Jack O'Callahan and Dave Silk during their college careers at BU.

A Somerville, Mass. native and Catholic Memorial alumnus, Parker has also been the recipient of the Spencer Penrose Division I Coach of the Year Award three times, while compiling an 894-471-115 career record to date, the most wins by any college hockey coach at a single school. 

Parker also served as an executive athletic director during his tenure with the Terriers, from 2002 to 2012; but was relieved of those duties last season, after a pair of off-ice incidents involving first Corey Trivino and then Max Nicastro.

The Terriers (18-15-2 overall, 15-10-2 HEA) finished third in the conference this season, and will host Merrimack in the first round of the Hockey East Tournament this weekend, in Parker’s final home games at Agannis Arena.