Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission issued the following announcement on July 23.
As a long-time attorney and prosecutor, Marc Parker has spent a lot of time in court. But it was his time on the court that led to his being named the Illinois High School Association's 2018-19 Boys Basketball Official of the Year.
Parker, who was named in March by Governor JB Pritzker as a commissioner on the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission, received the IHSA officiating honor at a banquet July 20 in East Peoria.
"This award speaks volumes about the professionalism and devotion Marc brings to every role he plays. We're proud of him, and I know his community appreciates all the hard work that went into this well-deserved honor," said Michael Brennan, chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission.
Parker, who served as a private attorney and as a prosecutor for St. Clair and Madison counties, prior to his appointment to the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission, has a long tenure with youth sports.
Besides officiating for more than 30 years, Parker also coached basketball at Collinsville High School and at Good Shepherd Lutheran School. He has officiated at the highest level of high school sports in Illinois, the 3A/4A boys state basketball finals.
Sports were important to Parker even before he started calling games. He was a three-sport athlete at Collinsville High School and went on to participate at the collegiate level in both basketball and tennis while attending Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
The IHSA said the Official of the Year award begins with a nomination by a recognized officials association. IHSA staff members then choose from the nominees based on character, skill as an official and the levels of work the official has mastered.
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