Southern Connecticut State University will recognize alumnus and national sports analyst Rob Parker, ’86, during its Homecoming game on Oct. 4, dedicating the Jess Dow Field press box in his honor at halftime of the matchup against Bentley University.
“Rob Parker’s contributions to the field of sports journalism are a testament to the impact of our alumni,” said Terrance Jones, SCSU director of athletics and recreation. “We’re proud to honor his remarkable career and show gratitude for his generosity by naming the press box at Jess Dow Field after him. This recognition not only reflects his achievements but also inspires our current students to pursue their passions and make their mark.”
For Parker, it will be a full-circle moment. His pursuit of a career in journalism began at Southern, where he wrote for the school newspaper, the Southern News. After graduating, he went on to become a hard-hitting newspaper sports columnist before his career transitioned into broadcast radio and television. He was inducted into the National Association of Black Journalists Hall of Fame in 2023.
“This is a testament of what can happen when you follow your dreams,” said Parker, who co-hosts a national show on Fox Sports Radio in Los Angeles. “It tells all students at Southern and all the kids that live in New Haven that you can be a young Black man from the inner city, come from a divorced home without wealth, and still achieve.”
With his work spanning nearly four decades, Parker has worked for numerous media giants, including The Daily News in New York, ESPN, Fox Sports Radio, and MLB Network. One of his crowning achievements came in 1993 when he became the first Black sports columnist at the Detroit Free Press. Another proud moment was in 2021, when he launched MLBbro.com, a website that covers Black and Brown Major League players.
But according to Parker, his most important work has come as a mentor to nearly 100 young media members and as an associate professor, teaching sports journalism at the University of Southern California.
While studying at Southern, Parker interned at the New Haven Register, WTNH, and WELI radio.
“I’m so grateful to Southern for laying the groundwork for my career,” said Parker, who was honored with Southern’s Outstanding Journalism Alumni Award in 2008. “This is where it all began and where I learned to be a reporter. It’s an absolute honor to have my name on Southern’s press box. I hope this will inspire others to excel and do what most think can’t be done.”
Since graduating, Parker has remained connected to the school. In 1988, he was among alumni featured in a TV commercial about graduating from Southern: “Four Years That Last A Lifetime.” He also established the Rob Parker Award for a standout Southern News sportswriter in 1990, just four years after earning his degree. Additionally, he has returned to campus multiple times to speak to students and is a proud alumnus.
