After 25 year old Brooke Parker died in a wrong way crash on Monday night, the community has come together to find a way to honor her life. A sports medicine trainer at Lubbock Cooper High School, Parker touched the lives of many coaches and athletes who say her presence will be dearly missed on the court and the field. Lubbock Sports Science Clinical Director, Mendy Wyatt said she’s had a close relationship with parker over the years.
“She was as goofy and as silly as they come, smiling, happy, she loved her job as an athletic trainer,” said Parker. “Shes’s the person who would jump up and say ‘I’ll do it, I’ll be right there to help!”
On Tuesday morning, following the accident Wyatt said she began to get calls from trainers in other cities asking her what they could do to help. Parker’s father started a scholarship in Brooke’s name at Prosperity Bank. To help fund the scholarship, The West Texas Sports Medicine Society partnered with Post High School and other community groups to create red and black bracelets in honor of Parker.
“It just blossomed from there and everyone wanted to be a part of it,” said Wyatt. “Every time I look down I’m going to think of her, and I hope other athletes also look down and think of fond memories they had with her too.”
The girls volleyball team had dinner with Parker on the night of her death, and had a game the following day. Coach Chelsea Pesterfield said it was an emotional game, but they are playing for Brooke. Today bracelets were given to the football team for them to wear at their playoff game against Canyon tonight. Canyon also planned a tribute to honor Parker before the game, to show support for The Pirates during this hard time.
“Tonight is a big night for the football boys, getting to play a playoff game at home is a big deal anyways so Brooke would be so excited to be here and be on the sidelines with the guys.” said Pesterfield.
The bracelets are $5.00, and can be purchased at The Lubbock Sports Medicine Building on 4110 22nd Place. There is also a ‘Go Fund Me’ account set up under Brooke Parker.
