John Havlicek squares off against Jack Parker in the first round of Boston’s Biggest Sports Legend tournament.
Havlicek stole the ball! It’s all over. … It’s all over! Johnny Havlieck is being mobbed by the fans! It’s all over! Johnny Havlicek stole the ball! Yes, the call still elicits goosebumps, but John Havlicek means much more to Boston than this famous call by the legendary Johnny Most. It takes a lot of skill, endurance and longevity to lead a dynasty, but that’s just what John Havlicek did. Hondo is the Celtics’ all-time leader in points with 26,395 and games with 1,270. A 13-time All-Star, Havlicek retired in 1978, and his No. 17 jersey was immediately retired at the Boston Garden. Six years later, Havlicek was enshrined into the Basketball Hall of Fame. In 1997, he was selected as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.
Many hockey greats have passed through Boston University’s men’s ice hockey program, but Jack Parker is Terriers hockey. The Somerville, Mass., native and Catholic Memorial alum excelled as a center in the BU program in the mid-1960s — serving as captain his senior season — but it wasn’t until Dec. 21, 1973, when he made his mark in the program as head coach. Parker has led the team to three titles (1978, 1995 and 2009) while winning three Spencer Penrose Coach of the Year awards. Parker has captured seven Hockey East championships and an unprecedented 21 Beanpot titles. Following the 2009-10 season, Parker’s record stands at 834-429-104. He is only the third coach to top 800 wins, and the first to do it with one team. The 65-year-old, who was named the university’s first executive director of athletics in April 2002, ranks second in total wins among active coaches, and third overall, behind only Jerry York of Boston College and retired coach Ron Mason.
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