Hometown: Smithfield, VA
Sport: Football
Position: Defensive Line
Major: Criminal Justice
Jersey #: 6
Mr. Tracey Parker, Jr., Class of 2018
Tracey Parker, Jr. was a dominant part of the defensive line during his time playing for then, Bluefield College. A native of Smithfield, Virginia, Parker Jr. always grew up around a football field as his father was a teacher and football coach. As a player for Nansemond River High School in Suffolk, Virginia, Parker Jr. was named to all-region teams his junior and senior seasons while also being ranked 37th in the top 50 players of the Hampton Roads area.
Following his graduation from NRHS, Parker Jr. found a new home in Bluefield. When asked about why he chose to be a Ram, he is quoted as saying “it was really crucial to my development…I was where I needed to be as a player and was able to start playing immediately.”
While at Bluefield, he became a staple for head coach Dewey Lusk’s defensive line. For three of his four seasons playing for the Rams, Parker Jr. made the all-conference team for the AAC. Two of those seasons, he was added to the Christian Colleges All American lists. Parker’s other accolades include:
Off the gridiron, Parker Jr. was very involved in campus life. He served as resident advisor (RA) and student ambassador during his time in Bluefield. “I had my hands in a little bit of everything, but I think that helped me be well-rounded and build relationships with many different people, not just my football team,” Parker Jr. says.
After receiving his degree in criminal justice, Parker Jr. immediately began working in law enforcement for the Pennington Gap Police Department in Lee County, VA. While a deputy for PGPD, Parker Jr. taught criminal justice at the Lee County Vocational School while studying for his master’s degree in criminal justice. Parker Jr. recently accepted a position in Tazewell County, VA with the Virginia State Police. When asked about moving back to his alma mater town, he was quoted as saying “when they offered me, it was a no brainier, considering I went to Bluefield and am familiar with the area.”
In hopes to stay involved with football, Parker Jr. currently volunteer coaches for Tazewell High School. “I’ve always liked to give back wherever it is that I’m working, doing my little piece to stay around the game and give back to the folks that are coming behind me,” he says.
Parker Jr. now lives in Tazewell County, VA with his wife Kristen, who he met at Bluefield, and their two children Torryn (4) and Tre (2).
