Brown Mourns the Passing of Former Director of Athletics, Hall of Famer John Parry ‘65
8/30/2024 1:44:00 PM | General
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – John C. Parry, IV '65, a veteran athletics administrator of over three decades, passed away recently at age 80. Parry served as Director of Athletics at his alma mater, Brown, from 1979 to 1990 before AD stints at Butler for 16 seasons and Cleveland State for six years.
At Brown, Parry oversaw multiple capital projects, significantly improving the athletic facilities. He also spearheaded hosting college hockey's Frozen Four three times in Providence. He served as assistant athletic director before 11 years as Director of Athletics on College Hill.
As Brown's AD from 1979-1990, he was one of the nine original Board of Directors of the Sports Foundation and was a driving force in the building of OMAC (1981) and Pizzitola Sports Center (1989). In the early days of his AD role, Parry was instrumental in supporting and upgrading women's sports, which had gained a tentative foothold in the mid-1970s. He also reinstated Wrestling to Varsity status in his first year. The 1980's saw Brown reach new heights in athletics under Parry's leadership.
Parry served two separate terms on the NCAA Lacrosse Selection Committee in the 1980s and 90s. He led a group that modernized the NCAA Tournament and created Final Four weekend, similar to other NCAA Championships, which still exist today.
As football co-captain of the 1964 Bruins, Parry helped lead his team to Brown's first winning season since 1958. Parry held five Brown and six Ivy League receiving records at the time of his graduation, as well as receiving Honorable Mention All-American and All-East honors. He was selected as a member of the 1956-1972 All-Ivy Team. He was also a member of the lacrosse and basketball programs. He majored in economics at Brown.
He was inducted into the Brown Athletic Hall of Fame in 1975, and his Brown coach, John McLaughry '40, said, "John had all the moves and fakes, along with a tremendous pair of hands. But he didn't achieve greatness on ability alone. He worked hard to improve, never hesitated to ask questions, and he was the type who thought football even off the field."
Parry is survived by his wife of 34 years, Candi, and their two children, John C. Parry V (Bri) and Ashley Parry (Eric), his ex-wife Anne Parry Becker and their two children, Alyson Drew (Parker) and Jennifer McCarthy (Kevin), and six grandchildren: Harper, Samantha, and Keegan Drew, Owen and Lucas McCarthy, and Lorelei Cramer. He is also survived by his beloved sister, Susan Finlay Marrinan (Mike), and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
At Brown, Parry oversaw multiple capital projects, significantly improving the athletic facilities. He also spearheaded hosting college hockey's Frozen Four three times in Providence. He served as assistant athletic director before 11 years as Director of Athletics on College Hill.
As Brown's AD from 1979-1990, he was one of the nine original Board of Directors of the Sports Foundation and was a driving force in the building of OMAC (1981) and Pizzitola Sports Center (1989). In the early days of his AD role, Parry was instrumental in supporting and upgrading women's sports, which had gained a tentative foothold in the mid-1970s. He also reinstated Wrestling to Varsity status in his first year. The 1980's saw Brown reach new heights in athletics under Parry's leadership.
Parry served two separate terms on the NCAA Lacrosse Selection Committee in the 1980s and 90s. He led a group that modernized the NCAA Tournament and created Final Four weekend, similar to other NCAA Championships, which still exist today.
As football co-captain of the 1964 Bruins, Parry helped lead his team to Brown's first winning season since 1958. Parry held five Brown and six Ivy League receiving records at the time of his graduation, as well as receiving Honorable Mention All-American and All-East honors. He was selected as a member of the 1956-1972 All-Ivy Team. He was also a member of the lacrosse and basketball programs. He majored in economics at Brown.
He was inducted into the Brown Athletic Hall of Fame in 1975, and his Brown coach, John McLaughry '40, said, "John had all the moves and fakes, along with a tremendous pair of hands. But he didn't achieve greatness on ability alone. He worked hard to improve, never hesitated to ask questions, and he was the type who thought football even off the field."
Parry is survived by his wife of 34 years, Candi, and their two children, John C. Parry V (Bri) and Ashley Parry (Eric), his ex-wife Anne Parry Becker and their two children, Alyson Drew (Parker) and Jennifer McCarthy (Kevin), and six grandchildren: Harper, Samantha, and Keegan Drew, Owen and Lucas McCarthy, and Lorelei Cramer. He is also survived by his beloved sister, Susan Finlay Marrinan (Mike), and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
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