Jack Parr, former Kansas State All-American, dies
By Andrew Towne
Jack Parr is only one of 10 players to have his jersey hanging from the rafters at Bramlage Coliseum.
Parr, a two-time All-American, passed away Sunday at his home in Lindsborg, Kan.
Parr played three seasons for Naismith and College Basketball Hall of Fame head coach Fred “Tex” Winter from 1955-58. He helped the Wildcats to a 54-21 (.720) record during his playing career, which included a trip to the 1958 Final Four and Big Seven Conference titles in 1956 and 1958.
During the 1955-56 season, Parr averaged a team-best 17.4 points and 13.6 rebounds per game to help K-State win the Big Seven title and reach the “Sweet 16” of the NCAA Tournament with a 17-8 record.
As a junior, he dominated the Big Seven with averages of 20.6 points and his school-record 14.5 rebounds per game to earn All-America honors for the second time in 1956-57.
Parr teamed with fellow All-American Bob Boozer to help the Wildcats to their second Final Four in 1958, as he averaged 13.6 points and 10.4 rebounds.
A member of both the state of Kansas (2005) and the Kansas State University Sports (2004) Hall of Fame, Parr was among the first class (along with Ernie Barrett and teammate Bob Boozer) to have his jersey retired by K-State on Feb. 5, 2005. He was also a member of the school’s 13-member All-Century Basketball Team released in 2003.
Parr played one season in the NBA after being drafted in the 10th round by the Cincinnati Royals.