CLEVELAND, OH — Saint Ignatius High School proudly announces that Tom Parker '10 has been named the new head basketball coach and will also serve as assistant athletic director.
Parker has been a key figure in the Saint Ignatius basketball program for several years. For the last five seasons, Coach Parker served as an essential member of Coach Cam Joyce's staff as a varsity assistant coach responsible for player development. He also has experience coaching on all levels previously serving as freshman head coach and JV head coach.
"This is a dream come true. I am so grateful for the opportunity to lead this great program," says Parker. "Coach Cam left some big shoes to fill. I don't think it's my job to be like Cam, but it is my job to sustain the success of this program and continue having us play at an elite level. I am excited to help these kids grow through the game of basketball."
A three-year varsity letterman at Saint Ignatius, Parker played under former head coaches Brian Becker '77 and Sean O'Toole '87. He continued his basketball career at Lake Erie College, competing for the Storm while earning his degree in business and communication.
Since beginning his coaching career in 2015, Parker has dedicated himself to youth development. In 2017, he founded Push Thru Athletics, a program aimed at helping young athletes build skill and character. After serving as JV Head Coach, Parker was appointed Head Basketball Coach at Euclid High School for the 2022–23 season, before returning to Saint Ignatius as Director of Player Development for the 2023–24 State Champion Wildcats.
As head JV coach from 2019 to 2022, Parker led the team to an impressive 54-7 record, including a historic 21-0 undefeated season in 2021-22—the first in the program's modern era.
"Tom is the right person at the right time for this position. It is about putting our young men in the best possible situation to succeed, in sports and their lives, and Tom fits all of that," explains athletic director Rory Fitzpatrick '88. "As athletic director, I look forward to supporting Tom as he continues to build on the excellence and success of the program."
Parker becomes the 25th head coach in program history. As an assistant athletic director, he will assist with athletic administration and admissions outreach.
