Karns City soccer coach wins 200th
KARNS CITY — Roy Parker has a lot to celebrate these days.
The Karns City boys soccer coach is celebrating the return home of his son, Dylan, who just completed his first tour in Afghanistan as a pilot in the Air Force.
Parker also is celebrating his 200th win as the Gremlins’ soccer coach.
Parker reached the milestone Tuesday when Karns City thrashed Keystone 10-0.
“To be honest, it means I had an awful lot of good players,” Parker said. “I just watched. I had the best seat in the house.”
Parker took over the soccer program 12 years ago when it was still in its infancy.
Back then, Karns City didn’t have the facilities it has now.
“I can remember the days of driving kids to games and building a practice field,” Parker said. “Now, I feel like we’re spoiled.”
In the 12 years since Parker has been at the helm, the Gremlins have been to six District 9 championship games, winning two of them.
Parker, though, won’t coach again this season until the playoffs.
Assistant coach Jim Grenninger will take over the team until Parker returns.
“I’ll be honest with you. This year has been more about Jim than me,” Parker said.
Parker sometimes has trouble getting to Karns City from Pittsburgh, where he works at the PNC Bank corporate office, for practices and games.
He said it is getting more and more difficult as the years have gone by.
He’s not ready to walk away, just yet, though, in large part due to the support from his coaching staff and the community.
“Jim is a teacher in the school, so he’s been a lifesaver,” Parker said. “The school has been so supportive of my schedule. I couldn’t have imagined a more ideal situation. I couldn’t imagine doing this anywhere else or anywhere else being so accommodating.”
Karns City is enjoying another strong season at 12-1 overall and is undefeated in the Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference.
“We’ve had such incredible success out here,” Parker said. “It’s been such a joy.”
