Charlie Parker
Parker, a native of Columbus, Ohio, served as head coach of the Wayne State University men’s basketball team and was honored twice as "Coach of the Year" as he led his teams to several NCAA appearances.

Parker coached the men’s basketball team from the 1982-83 to the 1987-88 seasons. During his tenure, Parker guided his teams to three Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) titles in 1983-84, 1985-86 and 1986-87, three NCAA tournament appearances (1983-84, 1985-86, 1986-87), and was an NCAA "Elite Eight" participant in 1986. In addition, Parker was named GLIAC "Coach of the Year" twice (1983-84 and 1986-87 seasons) and the 1984 Michigan Coach of the Year. In his six years, Parker compiled an impressive 120 wins with only 56 losses for a .682 winning percentage that still holds as Wayne State’s best. In addition, several of Parker’s athletes were named All-GLIAC selections during his tenure.

Before coaching at Wayne State, Parker was an assistant coach at Bowling Green State University where he helped lead BGSU to one Mid-American Conference championship, two second place finishes and one NIT appearance. After his successful tenure at WSU, Parker traveled West to serve as the assistant coach at the University of Southern California from the 1988-89 season to the 1993-94 season. He was then elevated to the head coaching position for the next two seasons before becoming one of the assistant coaches of the National Basketball Association’s Dallas Mavericks. He has been with the Dallas organization for the past five seasons.

Parker graduated from the University of Findlay in 1972 with degrees in Health and Physical Education and Sociology. He then received his master’s degree in education from Bowling Green State University in 1974. In addition to being inducted into WSU’s Hall of Fame, Parker has also been inducted into the University of Findlay’s and Hancock County Hall of Fames.

Charlie and his wife, Lori, currently reside in Dallas, Texas. Charlie has six children: Sharmelle (25), Charlie Jr. (23), Cameron (18), Sharee (17), Lyndie (8) and Christopher (2).