- Name
- Jack Parkinson
- Position
- Guard
- Class
- Senior
- Hometown (Last School)
- Yorktown, IN (High)
- Ht
- 6'0"
- Wt
- 175
- Seasons
- 1943-44, 1944-45, 1945-46, 1947-48
- Birthday
- March 4, 1924
Jack Parkinson was born Jack Gordon Parkinson in Yorktown, Indiana on March 4, 1924, to George Washington Parkinson and Hattie Eudora “Dora” May Parkinson. Parkinson was a remarkable basketball player who left an indelible mark on the University of Kentucky’s basketball program in the 1940s.
Parkinson attended Yorktown High School, where he excelled in both basketball and baseball, leading Delaware County in scoring in basketball in 1942 and pitching a no-hit game in a county championship match.
The Yorktown native turned down a contract offer from the Cincinnati Reds to play basketball for legendary UK basketball coach Adolph Rupp from 1943 to 1946 and again in the 1947-48 season. During his tenure, he earned four varsity letters and was a key player in Kentucky’s success. He was known for his exceptional shooting skills, particularly his two-hand set shots, which became his trademark. Parkinson was a consensus All-American in 1946 and was named to the All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) team in 1944, 1945, and 1946.
In 1946, Parkinson led the Wildcats to the National Invitational Tournament (NIT) championship as the team captain. However, his college career was interrupted by his military service; he was drafted into the Army in June of 1946 and spent 11 months overseas. Upon his return, he found himself in the shadow of Kentucky’s famous “Fabulous Five,” a group of players (Alex Groza, Ralph Beard, Cliff Barker, Kenny Rollins and Wallace “Wah Wah” Jones) who led the Wildcats to their first National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championship in 1948.
Despite the challenges, Parkinson’s contributions to the team were significant. He was a dedicated and hardworking player who earned the respect of his teammates and coaches.
After his career at Kentucky, Mr. Parkinson was a pitcher-manager for a Middlesboro semi-professional baseball team. He played with the Whiskered Wizards basketball team of St. Augustine, Fla., and with the Toledo Mercurys, who traveled with the Harlem Globetrotters.
Parkinson returned to his hometown and became a partner in a wholesale plumbing and heating supply business in Muncie, Ind. He served on the Mount Pleasant Township Community School Board in Yorktown.
He was a member of the Delaware County Athletic Hall of Fame and Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.
Jack Parkinson passed away on May 29, 1997, at the age of 73, due to complications from a brain tumor. He is remembered as a pioneering figure in Kentucky basketball history, a player who exemplified dedication, skill, and sportsmanship.
