Nelson T. Gant Foundation Honors area Coach

A long time area coach is taking another step in his coaching career. 

Before coach Whit Parks can leave for his new job at Fort Loramie, the Nelson T. Gant Foundation will give him a send off that secretary Mike Jackson said is well deserved.

People will have the chance to speak with coach Parks one more time at the Gant Foundation’s annual brunch in June. 

"At the same time we’re not wanting to just honor coach Parks, but we’re wanting to give everyone effected by him a chance to say thanks to him," Jackson said. "Because my understanding is he’s leaving town, some of us may never see him again." 

Parks has coached football at Zanesville, Bishop Rosecrans and Maysville High Schools.

Jackson said he has touched the lives of many young men. He even recalled one instance where Parks loaned his car to Jackson’s son to go on college recruiting trips. 

"He not only was a football coach and won football games," Jackson said. "That’s not why we’re doing it. We’re doing it because he had a serious, life long impact on these young men that changed an awful lot of their lives."

Jackson asked everyone to register for the brunch by June 1. You can do so by calling (740) 408-5088. The brunch serves as a fundraiser for the Gant Foundation, and tickets for the meal cost $25.

However, Jackson said you can just come and hang out and talk with coach Parks at Bryan’s Place on June 13.