(RMC Athletics release)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Rocky Mountain College is proud to announce that Bruce Parker, former athletic director for the Battlin’ Bears, has been selected to be elected into the 2018 NAIA Hall of Fame.
Parker served as athletic director for Rocky Mountain College from July 2014 to February 2018. Parker has worked for close to 40 years in Montana collegiate athletics.
“Rocky Mountain College has directly benefited from Bruce Parker’s passion for athletics as well as his service and leadership within the NAIA.” said Brad Nason, Vice President and Dean of Student Life at Rocky Mountain College. “Induction into the NAIA Hall of Fame is a fitting tribute to a colleague who has given so much to the organization and to athletics around the state of Montana.”
Recently named Frontier Conference Athletic Director of the Year for a record ninth time, Parker currently works with Rocky Mountain College as a consultant.
“I owe a lot to Brad Nason and Dr. Wilmouth, who allowed me the opportunity to come to Rocky Mountain College.” said Parker. “I am grateful that the student athletes didn’t just get a degree. They got an education.”
Parker was the driving force behind the renovation of the historic Herb Klindt Field in 2016. He helped organize and establish the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Division 1 Women’s Basketball Tournament in Billings, Mont. from 2017-2019. He considers these some of his finest accomplishments due to the impact that they had on Rocky Mountain College and the greater Billings community.
He also notably worked on the corporate sponsorship program and developed the athletic staff. Current head coaches Jason Petrino (football) and Mike McLean (cross country and track & field) were both hired by Parker.
“I have been fortunate at every spot I made to have worked with great coaches, great student athletes, and great administrations.” said Parker. ” I will never forget the friendships I made with the coaches.”
Parker is a member and former president of the NAIA Athletics Director’s Association (ADA) Board of Directors. He served on the NAIA’s National Administrative Council and was named to the NAIA National Strategic Planning Council and the NAIA National Marketing Committee.
Additionally, Parker served as a member of the National Association of Collegiate Athletic Directors (NACDA) National Executive Committee for five years. He was honored three times as the NACDA/Under Armour Athletic Director of the Year.
Prior to Rocky Mountain College, Parker served as director of athletics at Carroll College in Helena. Under his leadership, Carroll College added eight athletic programs, hosted several NAIA National Football playoff games, and set records in attendance to athletic events and corporate fundraising. He presided over an unprecedented national championship streak at Carroll from 2002 through 2005 with additional national championships in 2007 and 2010.
A 1979 graduate of Eastern Montana College, Parker previously served as associate athletic director and sports information director at Montana State University for 22 years.
He lives with his wife, Lisa, who he credits as being an unofficial athletic director at his side. His family includes two sons, Brett and Ryan, and a granddaughter, Sophia.
The NAIA will honor Parker at the 2018 NAIA National Convention in West Palm Beach, Fla. on April 11-15, 2019.
