Tim Parker stood tall for the men's basketball team in the early 1970s as a scoring and rebounding threat. The Springfield native still holds school records for rebounds in a game (28), and rebounds per game in a season (17.4) and career (14.9). 

The 1973 Westfield State graduate ranks 10th on the all-time scoring list with 1,178 points despite missing all but four games of his sophomore season because of an illness. 

Parker, a 6-7 forward with an excellent shooting touch from the outside, was an All-East and a New England State All Conference selection for the Owls. He received the Westfield State College Lettermen's Club Outstanding Athlete Award in 1972 when he averaged 20.9 points and 17.4 rebounds per game. He also was a regional all-star selection his freshman year when he averaged 17.4 points and 13.4 rebounds. 

Before entering Westfield State, Parker was an All-City player at Springfield Classical High School. 

Following his graduation from Westfield State, Parker played professional basketball in Holland for 11 years before retiring at the age of 33. He began his pro career with the No. 1 ranked team in the Netherlands, and traveled to places such as the French Riviera and the Greek Islands to play. Parker was one of the most popular players on the team and also one of the best, scoring 51 points in one game. 

He worked for more than a decade as an administrator at Kinzo, a tool company. He held an administrative post at a Dutch social security office the last few years before his death in 1986 at the age of 34. 

Parker is survived by his wife, Nora, who still lives in the Netherlands; four brothers, four sisters and his mother Pat.