Like a lot of American imports new to the Brandon University and Brandon College Athletics scene, Joe Parks came to Manitoba with the goal of excelling in sports, earning a degree, and eager for adventure in a new region and city.
Parks’ story is a lot like that of many before and after him, but where the journey has taken him is quite different.
In his five years of athletic eligibility, Parks played for three schools, playing his final season at Brandon University in 1971-72. Parks started his college career in Chanute, Kansas at Neosho County Community College where he ran track and field before transferring to Lakehead University to play basketball. That’s where he met life-long friend Jerry Hemmings, and where his road to Brandon began.
“After playing for George Birger at Lakehead Jerry called me at home and said let’s go to Brandon to play our fifth-year. I was looking for a place to play, so I said ‘sure, why not?’” says Parks in a recent sit down interview on a trip to Brandon. “I was always and adventurous kid, so this just seemed like another adventure to me.”
The opportunity to play for and study at Brandon University was an exciting opportunity for Parks because he could play basketball and football. Football was his favorite sport in high school, but he hadn’t played since leaving his hometown of Alexandria, Virginia following his high school graduation.
“I was a pretty good athlete in high school. I was MVP of the track team, basketball team and football team, but I didn’t really have the grades to go to a big school in the states. Then I got myself going and asked what is the future going to hold for me,” says Parks.
“BU gave me that opportunity. I came here, got my degree, and BU helped me find a teaching job. Most importantly, I met some good people here and made some good friends that will be my friends for life.”
Parks started every game for the Bobcats football team in the 1971-72 season, often playing both sides of the ball as well as special teams.
“I caught a touchdown pass in just about every game we played,” Parks reminisced. “Dave Bauman was our quarterback and we got a system down that burned the defensive backs every game. I would run patterns and he would throw it on the money every time.”
“I remember we played one game in a blizzard against Saskatchewan. I couldn’t even see the ball it was snowing so hard. I heard a thud, followed the sound until I saw the ball, picked it up and took it down the sidelines about 80 yards for a touchdown.”
As if playing up to four positions in a single football game wasn’t enough, Parks then played on the basketball team as the seasons changed. But it was after the school year ended that Parks had one of his true career achievements.
“That following summer I was invited to Miami Dolphins rookie camp,” says Parks. “I must have made an impression because I was invited back to main camp. Here I am surrounded by guys like Larry Csonka, Bob Griese, Mercury Morris, Paul Warfield, you know, future hall of famers, some of the greatest football players of all time.”
Parks didn’t make the Dolphins roster, but none-the-less considers it an achievement, seeing as that team went on to have the greatest profootball season in the history of the game. Those 1972 Dolphins remain the only team in National Football League history to record a perfect, undefeated season and win the Super Bowl.
After his pro try-out, Parks returned to Brandon where he completed his degree and went on to teach in rural Manitoba in Rivers and Boissevain, as well as serve two seasons as an assistant coach – one under Gary Howard, and one under long-time friend Hemmings.
Parks then returned home to Virginia where worked 31 years for the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Commission before retiring in 2009.
Now Parks finds himself enjoying retirement and the odd trip to Canada to visit old friends and remind himself of his years in Manitoba.
“BU was good to me,” says Parks. “It’s great to catch up with friends. I always enjoyed my time here and I always enjoy coming back.”
