Texas Tech Hires Parker as Deputy Athletics Director

A new deputy athletics director for Texas Tech has been named.

All-American swimmer and seasoned athletics administrator Joe Parker comes to Texas Tech from the University of Michigan, where he has served as senior associate athletic director for development and corporate development since 2006.

Parker managed new revenue opportunities at Michigan Stadium and the addition of premium seats, as well as raising $14 million in annual gift revenue and over $31 million in major gifts for the project.

Parker will begin at Tech on May 23rd.

The complete press release from Texas Tech Athletics is included below.

JOE PARKER NAMED DEPUTY ATHLETICS DIRECTOR AT TEXAS TECH

Parker joins the Red Raiders after spending the last eight years at the University of Michigan

LUBBOCK, Texas – Joe Parker, an All-American swimmer at the University of Michigan and 18-year veteran of intercollegiate athletics administration, has been named Deputy Athletics Director at Texas Tech University.

The addition to the administrative staff was announced today by Texas Tech Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt, with an official start date set for May 23.

“I am very excited to welcome Joe Parker to the Texas Tech family,” remarked Hocutt.  “Joe is one of the nation’s most talented athletic administrators and has experienced incredible success at each place he has been.   He will provide tremendous leadership in so many critical areas as we continue the great work that has been done to move Texas Tech Athletics towards the top of the intercollegiate athletics world.”

Parker joins the Red Raiders from the University of Michigan where he spent the last eight years of his professional career.  Parker joined his alma mater in 2003 as associate athletics director for development and has served the Wolverines’ athletics program as senior associate athletics director for development and corporate relations since 2006.

“My family and I are thrilled to be joining Kirby and his team at Texas Tech University,” said Parker.  “Texas Tech Athletics delivers a world-class student-athlete experience and helps connect thousands of students, alumni, and fans to the institution. It is an absolute privilege to serve Texas Tech in any capacity and I look forward to embracing all the Red Raider traditions.”

Parker was a member of the executive staff at Michigan, responsible for the ongoing assessment, design, installation and management of the strategic plan for the Wolverine athletics department.  He served as a key member of the department’s four-person project team that was responsible for more than $400 million dollars in capital improvements.  These capital improvement projects included the Ross Academic Center, the Michigan Stadium renovation, the Wilpon Baseball and Softball Complex, Football locker rooms, new Glick Fieldhouse, Junge Family Champions Center, Basketball Player Development Center, Bahna Wrestling Center, and Soccer Complex.

In addition, he managed the new revenue opportunities at Michigan Stadium and the addition of premium seats, as well as securing $14 million in annual gift revenue and more than $31 million in major gifts for the project.

His roots as a former student-athlete served as a guidepost as a member of the department’s six-person Athletics Program Administrators Unit, which manages all 27 sports programs at Michigan.  The unit is responsible for evaluating, counseling coaches, setting program policies, financial planning and other decisions necessary to operate each individual program.

A key component to Parker’s successful career in athletics administration began in 1983, when he joined the University of Michigan Swimming & Diving program as a freshman.  Parker lettered four seasons for the Wolverines and was a three-time All-American (1984, 1985 and 1987) and team captain.  In his senior season, Parker earned both a gold and bronze medal at the 1987 World University Games in Zagreb, Yugoslavia.

His time as a student-athlete helped steer him toward a career in athletics administration that has included stops at The University of Texas, Washington State University,  The University of Oklahoma and most recently at Michigan.

Parker earned a master’s degree from Texas in 1994 and during that time served the Longhorns athletics department as a development manager.  During his time in Austin, he served as a member of the senior staff and three-person planning committee which developed the department’s recommendation for the football stadium renovation.  He also managed the department’s annual giving program and coordinated the season ticket process for Longhorn Foundation donors.

Parker moved to the Pac-10 and Washington State University in 1998, where he served as director of annual giving.  While with the Cougars, he managed the annual giving program and provided a leadership role for major gift efforts.  He was also responsible for statewide donor events as well as prospect stewardship and cultivation.

His next move came in 2000, when he headed to the Big 12 Conference and the University of Oklahoma, where he served the athletics department as Director of the Sooner Club until 2003.  While in Norman, Parker provided leadership support for a $120 million capital campaign for athletic facility improvements.  He also designed and implemented a new premium seating program, which funded 70-percent of the $75 million football stadium renovation and expansion.  During his tenure at OU, the annual giving increased more than 270-percent to a record $12.5 million in 2003.

Parker earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from Michigan in 1987 and his M.B.A from Texas in 1994.  He and his wife Jennie have two children, Emma and Will.

THOUGHTS ON JOE PARKER FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY

“Joe is a hard worker, he’s dedicated and has a wealth of knowledge of intercollegiate athletics.  He develops great relationships with alumni and fans.  He is simply the best there is.  I am very happy for him because I know he is excited about this opportunity at Texas Tech and it’s a win for both him and the Red Raiders.”

Bill Martin, Former Athletics Director, University of Michigan

“Joe has been an integral part of Michigan Athletics for the past eight years.  He helped us reach many development goals, including several key capital projects.”

Dave Brandon, Director of Athletics, Univeristy of Michigan

“Joe is a great hire.  He got his start at Texas and I have watched his career grow since.  We have been very impressed with all that he has accomplished.  He will do an awesome job at Texas Tech.”

DeLoss Dodds, Director of Athletics, University of Texas

"In Joe Parker, Texas Tech just hired a winner in every sense of the word.  He is as good as gold.”

Chris Del Conte, Director of Athletics, TCU