April 30, 2014
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IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa Athletics Department will be holding a Norm Parker Celebration of Life service on Saturday, May 31 at Kinnick Stadium. The service, which is open to the public, will be held from 1-3 p.m. in the south end zone of Kinnick Stadium. Attendees will enter the stadium through Gate B (southwest corner).
Parker, who passed away on January 13, 2014, joined the Iowa program prior to the 1999 season, serving as defensive coordinator for 13 seasons. He served in the coaching profession for 48 years.
Following the 2011 season, Parker was named Assistant Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). He was a finalist for the Frank Broyles Assistant Coach of the Year Award in 2004 and 2005.
Under Parker’s direction, Iowa ranked among the top 10 nationally in rushing defense five times. Iowa ranked in the top 10 in scoring defense three times from 2008-11.
The Hawkeyes were bowl eligible 11 straight seasons (2001-11) and ranked in the final top 10 of both major polls four times with Parker directing the Iowa defense. The Hawkeyes won bowl games following the 2008, 2009 and 2010 seasons, defeating South Carolina, Georgia Tech and Missouri, respectively. Overall, Iowa won six of 10 bowl games from 2001-11, including four January bowl games.
Iowa won 85 games from 2002-11, including 50 Big Ten games. The Hawkeyes earned a share of the Big Ten title in both 2002 and 2004 and tied for second in 2009.
Parker began coaching on the collegiate level at Eastern Michigan in 1968 after beginning his coaching career in the high school ranks for three seasons. He also coached at Wake Forest, Minnesota, Illinois, East Carolina, Michigan State and Vanderbilt.
Parker was a native of Hazel Park, Mich., and earned two degrees from Eastern Michigan University.
In the event of inclement weather, the service will be held in the Paul W. Brechler Press Box at Kinnick Stadium.
