Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano and County Legislator Rose Walker recently recognized Hicksville’s Tim Parker for being drafted to play professional soccer for the Vancouver Whitecaps. Parker, captain of the St. John’s Red Storm soccer team in his senior season, was selected as the 13th overall pick in the 2015 Major League Soccer Draft.
Parker was the first St. John’s player ever to be picked in the first round of the Major League Soccer (MLS) SuperDraft and is the highest Red Storm selection since 2004. Parker earned first team Big East honors in each of his four seasons at St. John’s and his leadership and poise on the defensive end gave the Johnnies an opportunity to play in three straight NCAA Tournaments from 2011 to 2013. He also helped lead the team to a Big East Tournament Championship in 2011. Sports professionals consider Parker to be one of the best soccer players in North America today and the Whitecaps will certainly benefit from his youth, athleticism and leadership skills.
“It gives me great pride to recognize such a hardworking, talented young athlete,” said Mangano. “I wish Tim the best of luck and we will all be watching him when the Whitecaps open up their season on March 7.”
The Hicksville High School Class of 2012 graduate got his start on the field when he was 2 and a half years old. He played for the Hicksville Strikers club team and went on to play for the middle and high school.
“It’s like a dream come true. The fact that I’m able to play for the rest of my career is something I’m looking forward to,” Parker said.
And the people who supported him along the way couldn’t be more proud. Hicksville School District’s Athletic Director Matt Calarco described Parker as being determined to succeed and team-oriented.
“Timothy has worked extremely hard throughout his career to achieve the honors he enjoys today. He has such tremendous competitive drive on and off the field. His efforts to make everyone around him better was evident. It was always about the team and the teammates. Through his competitive drive, determination and personal efforts both on and off the field, Tim and his family deserve all that he has earned,” said Calarco. “The students, faculty and community are truly inspired by [his] tremendous accomplishments. Timothy’s legacy has, had and will continue to have a profound impact on the younger players that have followed him here in Hicksville.”
