For his efforts in leading the Terriers of Boston University to this year’s NCAA Division I Men’s Championship, Jack Parker of Boston University has been chosen winner of the 2009 Spencer Penrose Award as Division I Men’s Coach of the Year. Boston University went 35-6-4, winning the national title in dramatic fashion last Saturday night in Washington, DC. Trailing by 3-1, with just over a minute remaining in regulation, the Terriers struck twice within 42 seconds to tie the game, the latter goal coming with 18 seconds to play. The game-winner came at 11:47 of overtime, giving Parker his third NCAA crown and the school’s fifth.

It was a dream season for a storied program as the Terriers won a total of seven championships in 2008-2009: Ice Breaker Tournament, Denver Cup, Beanpot Tournament, Hockey East Regular Season, Hockey East Tournament, NCAA Northeast Regionals, and NCAA Championships. This is the third national Coach of the Year award for Parker (1975, 1978), who has compiled a career mark of 816-412-101 in 36 seasons at BU. His 816 wins rank him third all-time among all NCAA coaches, behind Ron Mason of Michigan State (924) and Jerry York of Boston College (821). His total of 816 wins at the same institution is an NCAA record.

The 2008-09 Terriers had lofty goals and met each one of them. Among the milestones were Parker’s 800th win (4-1 win at Merrimack on January 16) and his record 23rd NCAA appearance. This honor follows the announcement that his senior defenseman, Matt Gilroy, won the 2009 Hobey Baker Award as college hockey’s top player and his freshman goalie, Kieran Millan, was selected as the National Rookie of the Year.

A native of Somerville, Massachusetts, Parker excelled as a player at Catholic Memorial High School and later at Boston University, serving as team captain his senior year (1967-68). He started his coaching career at Medford High School right out of college, came to BU as an assistant for four seasons and was named varsity coach in December of 1973. This season marked his 40th as a member of the BU staff.

Assisting Parker this season were two of his former players, Associate Head Coach David Quinn and Assistant Coach Mike Bavis. Serving as Goaltending Coach was former UMass-Lowell standout Mike Geragosian. In addition to his coaching duties, Parker holds the title of Executive Director of Athletics at BU.

The runners-up for this year’s AHCA Men’s Division I Coach of the Year award were Tom Serratore of Bemidji State University and Keith Allain of Yale University.

The Spencer Penrose Award is named in memory of the Colorado Springs benefactor who built the Broadmoor Hotel Complex, site of the first ten NCAA championship hockey tournaments. It will be presented at the AHCA Coach of the Year Banquet in Naples, Florida, on Saturday evening, April 25.