Distinguished Alumni: Dr. Donald “Doc” Parham’s life of leadership and service

DURANT, Okla. - Dr. Donald "Doc" Parham's nearly four decades at Southeastern Oklahoma State University were defined by leadership, service and an enduring commitment to students and student-athletes.

Parham's 47-year career with Southeastern included 34 years as director of athletics, 29 years as chair of the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation and 16 years as head baseball coach.

After retiring in 2004, Parham remained at Southeastern as a fundraiser for athletics. He never did anything he did not believe was in the best interest of Southeastern.

A Southeastern graduate and former basketball player under Bloomer Sullivan, Parham returned to his alma mater in 1959 after completing graduate school at George Peabody College for Teachers, now Vanderbilt University, in Nashville, Tennessee.

During his career at Southeastern, he served as a professor and chair of the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, head baseball coach and director of athletics. Doc was an educator first and foremost, and some of his proudest moments came when he was named Teacher of the Year and Professor of the Year twice.

He continued to teach classes and supervise student teachers while serving as head baseball coach, director of athletics and department chair.

Parham gained the trust and respect of his peers and was instrumental in establishing the Faculty Hall of Fame Award, which later became the Distinguished Former Faculty Award through the Alumni Association.

He built Southeastern Athletics and the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation to high standards by hiring outstanding instructors and coaches who cared about students as much as he did. He refused to hire coaches or assistant coaches who did not meet his standards as teachers.

Parham's greatest legacy may have come on the baseball diamond. After taking over as head coach in 1965, he transformed Savage baseball into a national power. In 16 seasons, his teams never had a losing record, compiling 536 wins and 162 losses while winning nine conference championships, seven NAIA District 9 championships and three NAIA Area 3 titles.

He led the Savages to three trips to the NAIA World Series, with the 1977 season being the highlight of Parham's coaching career. The Savages finished 56-8, won the prestigious Pan American Citrus Tournament and advanced to the NAIA National Tournament championship game.

His teams produced 13 NAIA All-Americans and 18 professional signees, and Southeastern was ranked No. 1 or No. 2 nationally by the NAIA during his final four seasons.

As director of athletics, Parham guided Southeastern through the transition from the NAIA to NCAA Division II and membership in the Lone Star Conference, helping establish a foundation for the future of Southeastern Athletics.

His contributions have been recognized through induction into the Southeastern Oklahoma State University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1985, the NAIA Hall of Fame in 1989, the Eastern Oklahoma State College Hall of Fame in 1995 and the Lone Star Conference Hall of Honor.

He was also named Athletics Administrator of the Year for the NAIA Southwest Region in 1995 and earned the NCAA Division II Robert Neyland Outstanding Athletic Director Award, presented by the All-American Football Foundation, in 2004.

In 2007, he was named to The Oklahoman's list of Top 100 Coaches/Contributors to celebrate Oklahoma's centennial, making the list in two categories: Top 100 Coaches and Top 100 Teams.

He was also inducted into the Atoka High School Hall of Fame, and his baseball jersey, No. 5, was retired by Southeastern in 1982.

Parham also served the community through the Durant Planning Commission and Lions Club, including a term as club president when he promoted placing the rocket in Rocket Park in Durant.

Parham's legacy extends far beyond his wins and championships. His dedication to Southeastern and the Durant community has left a lasting mark on generations of students, student-athletes and alumni.

He was instrumental in establishing the Southeastern Athletics Hall of Fame, where many worthy athletes have been recognized and honored. He continued to show his pride in his department and student-athletes by welcoming them back during homecoming and hosting a former athletes' breakfast.

He nurtured outstanding athletes and showed his pride in them by displaying many pictures along the hallways of Bloomer Sullivan Gymnasium, many of which can still be viewed today.

Parham was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army, serving during the Korean War in 1953 and 1954.

Parham's wife, Kay, continues to reside in Durant and support Southeastern Athletics. The couple had three sons: David, the late Brent and Warren.

The Distinguished Alumni Banquet is Friday, Oct. 23. Tickets can be purchased at se.edu/alumni/distinguished-alumni-banquet/.

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