June 27, 2009

Longtime men's soccer head coach Gary Parsons has retired from college coaching from Oakland University. The athletics department is celebrating his excellent coaching career on Saturday, August 29 at The Crowne Plaza in Auburn Hills. Information for the event can be found here.

"Gary is an ambassador for the sport of soccer in the state of Michigan," said Director of Athletics Tracy Huth. "He has put OU soccer on the national map and constantly produced graduates and champions. He exemplified everything we represent here at Oakland University and we are honored to have his named forever linked with OU Athletics. We invite all those who played for, and cheered on the Pioneers and Golden Grizzlies, to accompany us in this great celebration."

Parsons brought immediate success to Oakland for the men's soccer program. He led the Golden Grizzlies to 18 NCAA Tournament appearances, and seven Summit League championships in 10 seasons at the Division I level. His teams finished runner-up at the Division II level on three occasions and is a three-time Summit League Coach of the Year (2002, '07, '08). This past season, he guided the Golden Grizzlies to another Summit League regular season title and their first end of the year national ranking as OU finished the season ranked No. 30 in the final College Soccer News poll.

For more information on this prestigious event and celebration, please contact Gina DeMartis in the athletics department at 248.370.2669, or e-mail her at demartis@oakland.edu.

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