{ title: 'The Prospector (Helena, Mont.) 1916-2015, March 29, 2007, Page 7, Image 7', download_links: [ { link: 'http://www.loc.gov/rss/ndnp/ndnp.xml', label: 'application/rss+xml', meta: 'News about Chronicling America - RSS Feed', }, { link: '/lccn/TheProspector/2007-03-29/ed-1/seq-7.png', label: 'image/png', meta: '', }, { link: '/lccn/TheProspector/2007-03-29/ed-1/seq-7.pdf', label: 'application/pdf', meta: '', }, { link: '/lccn/TheProspector/2007-03-29/ed-1/seq-7/ocr.xml', label: 'application/xml', meta: '', }, { link: '/lccn/TheProspector/2007-03-29/ed-1/seq-7/ocr.txt', label: 'text/plain', meta: '', }, ] }
About The Prospector (Helena, Mont.) 1916-2015 | View This Issue
The Prospector (Helena, Mont.), 29 March 2007, located at <http://montananewspapers.org/lccn/TheProspector/2007-03-29/ed-1/seq-7/>, image provided by MONTANA NEWSPAPERS, Montana Historical Society, Helena, Montana.
Page 7 D e d i c a t e d d i r e c t o r e m b r a c e s C a r r o l l By DREW GARRISON Prospector StaffWriter Last year he drove straight from Kansas City to Jackson City, Tenn. and then back just to watch both men’s and women’s basketball teams play in national tournaments. This drive was made by Carroll’s athletic director for the last three years, Bruce Parker. Parker’s road trip was brought on by one simple fact. “Honest to god I like all of Car- roll’s sports. 1 try to make it to all of Carroll’s sporting events,” says Parker. Parker’s dedication has led to a dominance of its Frontier Confer ence opponents, by winning four straight conference football champi onships, back-to-back men's basket ball championships, two women's basketball conference champion ships, two volleyball conference tournament championships, and two appearances at the Region 1 tournament by the women's soccer program. This success has obviously led to an added pressure on Carroll Athlet ics. “There is a tremendous amount of pressure on our coaches to win,” says Parker. “Most people in Mon tana are Carroll fans. Not only do our athletes and coaches represent Carroll but the state o f Montana as well.” This past year, Parker was given the honor o f earning the NAIA National \Athletic Director of the Year\ Award. “There is a reason why Bruce was named the AD o f the Year in the NAIA. It's because he has set himself apart from other ADs across the country,” says Jason Dannelly of Victory Sports Network (A web site that covers everything NAIA). “Other ADs are former coaches whereas Bruce has been in the busi ness world and media world. This enables him to make sound deci sions that will allow the school and athletic department to grow.” Before coming to Carroll, Parker was the sports information direc tor for Montana State University. During this time he also worked in sports radio and was a commentator for various athletic events. Parker continues to commentate in be tween his duties as Carroll’s AD. Although Parker has been very successful and has reason to brag, he is quick to credit others around him. “The Helena community really supports Carroll,” says Parker. “It’s phenomenal. Our faculty and staff are unbelievable. When we need support we get it.” His willingness to share the spot light has been noticed by others. “He never once said, \Look what I've done.\ It was always about the people and the community support. He gave tons o f credit to everyone around him. To me that showed what type o f leader he is because he is more than willing to let others have the spotlight,” says Dannelly. Bruce has not only had an impact on Carroll’s athletics but its students Bruce Parker, Carroll College athletic director, as well. “Without Bruce Parker the Carroll Crazies wouldn’t exist,” said Trent Riddle of the Carroll Crazies. “He always has the student’s best inter est in mind. We can go to him for everything and he tries to make it happen.” Parker now sets his sights on con tinued success and the improvement of its facilities. “Our gym is outdated. I not only want it for our athletes but for our PHOTO BY LAUREL CIFALA students to. Intramurals are being held at ridiculous hours. We need a bigger facility to accommodate everyone at Carroll,” says Parker. Parker has accomplished many things in his time at Carroll and hopefully that will continue. His impact is felt on and off the playing field. “Bruce is the type o f guy that I feel like I can call anytime for any reason,”’ concludes Dannelly. “He is truly one o f a kind in the NAIA.” New professor enjoys Carroll campus By K A Y L E E D A R T Prospector StaffWriter When a professor accepts his offered position at Carroll College, they may wonder what kind o f stu dents they will have and what kind of mark they themselves will have on students. Then students start describing you as, “The best damn juggler I know” like sophomore Stu Strothman said. You start to realize that your students aren’t just fond o f you but think you’re a great professor. “I really like the students here” said professor Michael McNeilly or as most students and friends call him “Mokey,” is one o f our newest professors. Mokey teaches Impro visation, Directing, and Advanced Acting. But long before he started leading our Carroll stars o f to morrow, he was a working actor himself. Bom in southern Illinois and later moved to Oakwood, Ohio. Played baseball in his early years of high school and went on to play at Ohio University. After a serious car wreck Mokey who had little experience on stage in high school decided to audition for a theatre studio where he was accepted and obtained his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. It wasn’t until later in life that he realized what a lucky break that was. After receiving his degree, Mokey changed speeds and headed to Los Angeles. Over the seven teen years he spent in Los Angeles he worked with many famous names like Jack Lemmon, Eddie Albert, and Alfre Woodard. As well as Richard Dean Anderson, best known for playing MacGyver, who is now the godfather o f his nineteen-year-old daughter. Among his success in Los Angeles was work in commercials, TV, film and found great success in theater. One o f his favorite accomplish ments was becoming a resident in the Mark taper Forum at the age of 23 and appearing in such shows as “General Hospital” and “Tortel- lies,” along with being a Mighty Carson Art Player on the Johnny Cash show. Also while in Los Angeles he met his wife Nancy Harper, who is also a professor at Carroll, and was originally from Helena. The two of them came back to Helena to settle down. In Helena both Nancy and Mokey have done guest appearanc es at local theaters. Mokey has been seen in such plays as “Camelot,” Man of La Mancha,” Driving Miss Daisy,” and most recently “Shake speare in Hollywood.” More than just act Mokey is a playwright as well. Carroll has been lucky enough to produce some o f his work. “Jungle Life” which was written and directed by Mokey and an adapted version of “A Christmas Carol” in which Mokey was in the original cast. For the future “I really want to see the theater at Carroll Develop. It’s a liberal arts college, but without a strong theater program it’s a travesty,” said Mokey. Even his students say that “Mokey is a scholar and a gentleman, there are few men o f his caliber, comedic timing and chivalry,” said sophomore Greg Mengel. A side from being a professor, Mokey’s latest project is an improv troupe here on campus called “Masquers.” The troupe has already performed at two high schools which helps draw students to Carroll. When asked if he was going to stay in Helena, Mokey replied, “Yes, I hope to be at Carroll a long time.” Thursday. March 29,2007 Volume 90, No 6
