t ember 10,191
Wednesday • September 10, 1997
S The Battalion
PORTS
tor Thank you Sirr, may we have another
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By Jamie Burch
Staff writer
hat would you consider an insurmount
able task? Try moving halfway across the
country at 17-years-old to play college
itball. Compound that obstacle with having to
se an infant daughterwhile trying to balance an
eady challenging schedule of athletics and aca-
mics. For one individual, this seemingly over-
elming existence is reality.
:ar who P°l* ce ci I Texas A&M junior running back Sirr Parker has had
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1 After rushing for 312 yards as a true freshman,
M A 1
BRANDON BOLLOM/The Battalion
Parker faced a seemingly bright future as a running
back destined to flourish in an A&M system heavily
dominated by the gr ound game. But before he could
look towards better things to come, Parker’s girlfriend
informed him late that fall that she was pregnant.
Instead of taking the easy way out, Parker as
sumed responsibility for his actions. After the rela
tionship between the two soured, Parker fought for
custody and raised his daughter, Alashea, for the du
ration of his sophomore year.
“I don’t look at it as something I should be re
warded for,” Parker said modestly. “It’s something
most men do without thinking about it. Instead of
looking for any accolades or medals for it, I just look
at it as something I have to do.”
Fortunately, Parker had a little help from his
friends. Teammates D’Andre Hardeman, Toya Jones
and Michael Jennings all resided in an apartment
with Parker and his daughter last year.
Hardeman said Parker’s situation made life
interesting.
“It was kinda fun,” Hardeman said with a smile.
“Most of the time you won’t have four college athletes
with a baby in the house. It was a learning experience
for all of us. It just shows what kind of man Sirr is, to
take care of his daughter while he’s in school.”
Raising an infant daughter was just part of Park
er’s adverse sophomore season. While the Aggies
continued their slide for a subpar 6-6 record, Parker
saw his carries per game drop. After rushing for a
team leading 704 yards through 10 games, Parker
spent the final two games on the bench, with just
two carries against the University of Oklahoma and
none against the University of Texas.
Parker just shrugged and said the diminished
load was a fact of life.
“It was hard to tackle,” Parker said. “But I just had
to go with the flow because I’m not a coach. I have
to do what is asked of me. If sitting out is what’s asked
of me then that’s what I have to do.”
The California native made one last statement
with an unlikely kick-off return against the Long
horns. With the Aggies trailing 51-9 late in the sec
ond half, Parker took the ball three yards deep in the
end zone and traveled the length of the field.
Parker said the lone Aggie highlight was a re
minder to the coaching staff.
“I just took it upon myself to take it out of the end
zone to get my self-confidence back,” Parker said. “I
wanted to show I did belong with the team and that
I’m not a player that should be sat on the bench.”
At season’s end, the highlight of the Aggie rumor
mill was that Parker was looking to transfer to the
University of Southern California. Unhappy with the
number of reps per game, Parker was torn between
staying near his daughter or returning to Los Ange
les to help raise his younger brother.
“I had a lot of personal problems back at home,”
Parker said. “The off-season problems and not get
ting the reps or playing at all led to frustration.... It
was a little of both worlds.”
But the Aggies are thankful Parker decided to
stay. Against Sam Houston State University, Parker
scampered for 49 yards and three touchdowns.
Running backs coach Ken Rucker said Parker
found the strength within himself to face his diffi
culties head-on.
“Last year was a difficult year for both Sirr and the
Aggies,” Rucker said. “With any situation you just try
to work problems out. With his carries diminishing
and the season not going the way it was ... it was a
soul searching.
“The bottom line is he found out where he was
supposed to be. God made a plan for him to be here
and he’s going to make the best out of God’s plan.
There’s no utopia. So, what we all have to do is work
through and solve our problems.”
With the dismal year behind him, Parker is again
searching for a promising future. And though he said
it is easier to take things one day at a time, Parker said
he sometimes likes to dream.
“I’m putting’ all my chips in my education,” Park
er said. “But if the opportunity (to play in the NFL)
comes along... I’ll run for it.”
■
*
l -
DAVE HOUSE/The Battalion
After leading the Aggies in rushing in 1996, junior running back Sirr
Parker considered transferring to Southern Cal.
Big 12 newcomers turn in spectacular performances
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Jamie
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A s promised by the Swami, the Big 12 early sea
son record has taken a drastic turn. Week three
proved to be generous to the second year con-
I ference with nine wins and one loss. Take a gander at
some of the spectacular performances provided by
the lame duck non-conference schedule.
OSU Freshman Sets Rushing Record
Cowboy tailback Jamal Fobbs rushed for 217
yards and one touchdown in OSU’s 31-7 win over
Southwestern Louisiana. Fobbs broke the freshman
[ rushing record set by Thurman Thomas (206)
i against Kansas State in 1984. Fobbs 7-yard run in the
; opening seconds of the second quarter gave OSU a
10-0 lead.
More impressive about Fobbs’ feat is the fact
the freshman broke the record at a school rich in
running back lore — Thomas, Barry Sanders, and
David Thompson.
Bishop Crowns Northern Illinois
Michael Bishop, the JUCO transfer who led
Blinn to two consecutive National Champi
onships, ignited Kansas State’s run for national
prominence with an impressive 47-7 blowout of
the Huskies. Having received the starting nod just
four days earlier, Bishop finished the day 8-of-13
for 172 yards and four touchdowns. The new gen
eral also added a 43-yard touchdown run en
route to his 270 total offensive yards.
Sooners’ Win Over Syracuse is “Special"
Ironically, the same special teams OU used to
shoot itself in the foot in its season opener pulled
out the upset win over the Orangemen. Linebacker
Cory Ivy blocked a 44-yard field goal attempt with
no time left on the clock to preserve the Sooners
36-34 victory. Ivy also sacked Syracuse quarter
back Eric McNabb on a two-point conversion at
tempt with 5:08 left that would have tied the score
36-36.
Sooner linebacker Travian Smith blocked two
punts in the game. Smith’s second block was re
turned four yards by Sedric Jones for a touchdown
late in the fourth quarter.
OU rushed for 341 yards, including 239 by tail
back De’Mond Parker. The Sooners attempted just
six passes, completing three for 38 yards.
Iowa State Vying For Conference Dweller
With Darren Davis on the sideline with a stress
fracture, the Cyclones (0-2) suffered a 46 point de
feat at the hands of the Wyoming Cowboys. After
Iowa State jumped on the board with an early 42-
yard field goal by kicker Jamie Cole, the Cowboys
posted four consecutive touchdowns for a 25-
point halftime lead.
From the one horse, dog and pony show known
as the Iowa State backfield, the Cyclones managed
just 59 yards on the ground to Wyoming’s 207.
Fifty-nine would have been an average first-quar
ter total for two-time 2000-yards rusher Troy
Davis.
And The Winner Is
Oklahoma running back De’Mond Parker and
outside linebacker Travian Smith along with Col
orado strong safety Rashidi Barnes were named
Big 12 Players of the Week for their efforts over the
weekend. Barnes, the defensive player of the week,
had a 26-yard interception return for a touchdown
tandemed with a fumble recovery and four tackles
in Colorado’s 31-14 win over archrival Colorado St.
Games Of The Week
#7 Colorado (1-0) at #13 Michigan (0-0) — Michi
gan Stadium
■ The Buffaloes return to Ann Arbor, Michigan,
the site of the final-play pass from Kordell Stewart
to Michael Westbrook to pull out a 27-26 triumph,
Sept. 24,1994. This game marks the start of the
Wolverines 117th intercollegiate football season.
Michigan holds the Division-I record for all-time
victories with a total of 764.
UCLA (0-2) at #10 Texas (1-0) —■ Darrell K. Royal
Memorial Stadium
■ This marks the first meeting between the two
schools since 1971. The Longhorns, who lead the
all-time series 2-0, defeated the Bruins in both ’70
and ’71 during coach Darrell Royal’s champi
onship heyday. Texas second victory over UCLA
paved the road to an undefeated 10-0 season and a
Cotton Bowl berth.
Jamie Burch is a senior
speech communication major
idated Kirkpatrick!
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