Tom Parks - SCF Basketball Coach

Welcome Basketball Coach Tom Parks to the SCF Family

Tom Parks, SCF’s new basketball coach, hopes to fill the stands during basketball season this year with an exciting new style of play on the court. The Manatees are going to be fast, but it won’t just be the players’ tempo and performance on the court that will bring the crowds in. He’s also planning on sending out a few invitations to celebrate 60 years of basketball at SCF. Parks will host an alumni night during the team’s Jan. 19, 2019, game against Impact Academy. He plans to invite basketball players from past years in for a shootaround and then a pregame meal with the current players. During the game, he plans to have a ceremony to honor the basketball alumni followed by a social afterward.

Parks also plans to get young players excited about SCF basketball. He hosted a free basketball clinic for kids in September 2018 and has invited the young players to come back and watch the games throughout the season. During the clinic, “ the younger kids were able to interact with the college players, learning drills and some techniques from the Manatees. SCF’s first Haunted House of Hoops took place at the end of October, and included a costume contest, free candy and lots of fun. He also will host a military appreciation night in November. For Parks, the events are about promoting the program while showing the players that they have a community supporting them.

“Many people help us get there through our lives,” Parks said. “Sometimes it’s easy to forget the people who help the kids get through school; there are so many, whether it’s the alumni who paved the way or the cafeteria worker who gives the 6-foot-9inch basketball player an extra scoop of mashed potatoes to help get him through the day.” Filling SCF’s gym shouldn’t be too hard, given its size. Parks said he likes the gym; “it has character.” Filling it with cheering Manatee fans will certainly intimidate their opponents just based on how loud it could get. There are 18 Manatees on the team this year, including three chosen during a summer tryout and several local players. For Parks, basketball is a family affair. He met his wife Lyndie on the basketball court. Both were playing basketball at the same junior college in Sheridan, Wyoming, when they met. For the record, he says he’s a better shooter and she’s a much better passer. They stayed in touch even after graduating from junior college. Lyndie is also part of the Manatees. She likes being a “big sister” to the players, Parks said. The family atmosphere is part of Parks coaching style. He is developing a competitive team who he plans to bring to the state tournament in February. By then, he said, the Manatees will be playing their best basketball. He is also developing students. He wants to make sure all his players graduate from SCF and move on to a university where he can help them find a great fit for what they want to do. Visit SCFManatees.com to stay on top of what’s happening with the basketball program, including game schedules and information about upcoming events.

Quite a few former players have stayed in the area. I want them to know they are valued for their history and experience, whether as a Lancer or a Manatee. They are a huge reason these kids are here today.”