Between promotional events, learning how one masters the jazz square and getting the last signatures needed from sponsors, the pace of planning this festival is really starting to pick up!
Although it is a tradition every year for the Finch Fanatics to be graced with the presence of the CMU Legend Coach Dick Parfitt, this week he was not feeling well. So instead of learning how awesome Parfitt is from the man himself, we found some of his biggest fans and had them come tell us themselves.
For those of you who do not know who Coach Dick Parfitt is, let me give you a short list of credentials that does not do any justice to explain just how incredible this guy is.
Coach Parfitt:
- "His name is synonymous with success here at Central Michigan University."
- Lead the Chippewa men's basketball program to three Mid-American Conference titles-1975, 1977 and 1979- the most for any head basketball coach at CMU
- Won 192 games in 14 seasons as head basketball coach- the second-most of any coach in program history
- MAC Coach of the Year in 1975
- Six of the seven Chippewas who have their jersey numbers retired played at least one season under Parfitt. James McElroy, Melvin McLaughlin, Ben Kelso, Dan Roundfield, Dan Majerle and Ben Poquette- all six were selected in NBA Draft.
- He not only attended CMU but played on the men's basketball team and led the nation in free throw shooting percentage in 1953
- Converting 93-of-105 free throws for 88.5 percent. He still holds CMU's single-season free throw percentage record.
- He was inducted into CMU's Athletic Hall of Fame in 1990
- He is ranked nationally in tennis
Information from cmubasketballcamp.com
Clearly, this man has an impressive resume to offer. However, according to people such as Lori Irwin (CMU RPL professor) and Jeff Smith (CMU men's basketball assistant coach), it's not until you get to meet this man that you understand why he is a legend and on and off paper.
Although both had two different stories to tell about Coach Parfitt, everything they said led back to the same message: Coach Parfitt follows one rule in life which is that love rules everything.
"I can use four words to describe Coach Parfitt: teacher, competitor, survivor and supporter," - Jeff Smith
Coach Parfitt is a man who shows everyone he meets what he loves about them. He tells people that you are not going to love everyone you meet, but you can find a piece of them that you do love and It is that piece that you focus on.
Although we didn't get to hear from Coach Parfitt himself, it was clear from listening to just TWO people, this man is truly a genuinely amazing person and we as Finch Fanatics have a duty to carry on his legend through the Gus Macker Festival. Hopefully we get to meet him (and his wife, Pat, of course!) at the Festival this month!
In addition to learning about Coach Parfitt, the Finch Fanatics have started learning a routine for the opening ceremony! Make sure to check it out when you come to our festival at the end of this month ;D
We also just want to give a shout out to the promotions team for some Macktastic promotional events in the not-so-springy weather this week!
Also shout out to our T.A.'s this week because we love you three and you're awesome! Specifically Kevin this week.
Happy Birthday, Kevin!
Stay tuned for next week's blog!
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