The mission statement of the High School Sports Association of San Diego is several-fold:
It is to promote high standards of professional proficiency and ethics in the field of athletics; to establish closer working relationships with related professional groups and the community; to represent professionally all secondary and post-secondary school coaches, athletic directors and administrators in San Diego County.
To provide opportunities for continuing study of the best practices in the field of athletics; to extend professional services to the coaching field and plan appropriate recognition events for high school athletes in the county; and to foster goodwill and fellowship among athletic directors, coaches, administrators and officials in San Diego County.
The association hosts several recognition events during the year:
•A salute to high school champions takes place in the fall, during which the association recognizes coaches and administrators of schools which won CIF championships the prior year.
•A football all-star banquet in advance of the Alex Spanos All-Star Classic takes place in January.
•An all-star service awards program takes place in winter, followed by a scholar-athlete recognition brunch in the spring.
•An all-star volleyball game takes place at the end of the school term for outstanding male and female senior players in San Diego County to compete in showcase games.
The association’s 30th annual all-star winter awards program took place Monday at Marina Village. Carl Parrick, a longtime football coach at both Southwest and Bonita Vista high schools, was among the four head coaches singled out for recognition.
It was well deserved on Parrick’s part, whose career as a head coach spanned 30 years at the two South County schools.
A 1965 graduate of Hilltop High School and a 1972 graduate of San Diego State University, the former U.S. Air Force veteran formally retired as a head coach in 2010 following 19 seasons at Bonita Vista High School.
Upon his retirement he was the winningest active high school football coach in San Diego County with a record of 195-117-6.
He continues to rank in the top 10 for coaching wins in the county.
He called it an honor upon being presented with his award by the HSSA.
“This entire concept of recognizing coaches and people who either coach kids, report on their endeavors, or support them either medically or through the community in some way is truly awesome,” explained Parrick, who is otherwise known to his players simply as Coach P. “I am so honored to receive this award and be recognized by my peers. I join a long list of South Bay coaches and community members who have received this award in the past.”
Parrick started coaching football as an assistant at Marian High in 1972. Three years later, with a teaching credential in hand, he assisted at Hilltop High School and in 1978 assisted at Southwest High before taking over as head coach at Southwest in 1981.
Parrick took over a program that had only posted four victories in the previous five seasons. But under Parrick’s leadership, the Raiders won their first league championship in 1982 and compiled eight playoff appearances in the following 10 seasons.
Following the 1991 season, Parrick arrived at crosstown rival Bonita Vista with nine assistant coaches in tow and the challenge of taking over another perennial cellar dweller that had recorded only one winning season since 1980.
He listed working closer to home as his reason for departure from Southwest.
Parrick enjoyed unparalleled success with the Barons. In 19 seasons at BVHS, the Barons won six conference titles, finished second eight times and qualified for the San Diego Section playoffs all 19 seasons. He compiled a regular season record of 118-49-3 at BVHS.
During his acceptance speech on Monday, Parrick credited his assistant coaches for much of his own success on the field.
“I especially was excited to have some members of my staff attend who have not only supported me, but have dedicated themselves unselfishly to Southwest and Bonita Vista high schools,” Parrick explained.
“You can speak of dedication and loyalty, but how many programs can boast an assistant coach who has spent 31 years of his life showing both of these qualities such as Greg Raby has done for me.
“Other coaches who have spent more than 10 years with me are: Mike Gilbert (deceased), Paul VanNostrand, Bob Carter, Ken Wilmesheer, John Balough, Robert Arciaga, Ron Pietila, Loren Hasley, Keith Dewalt, Dan Kray, and many more who helped me for many years.
“Without Greg my coaching career would not have the same results. His loyalty and knowledge of the game cannot be matched.”
“As a head coach I was extremely fortunate to surround myself with men of these qualities.”
As far as memorable moments go, they are numerous, of course.
“At Southwest, my second season there in 1982, we went 6-4 and made it to the playoffs for the first winning season and first playoff appearance in the school’s history,” Parrick recalled.
“Winning our first playoff victory in 1988, beating a heavily favored Patrick Henry team … just being with ‘my boys’ at Southwest High and establishing lifelong friendships to this day.
“My biggest memory at Bonita Vista was our 6-2 victory over Sweetwater at their home field as part of our undefeated season, 10-0, in 1993. I miss all the youngsters and Friday night lights.”
After retiring as a head coach, Parrick subsequently served as an assistant coach at several area high schools.
Parrick was on the Eastlake High School staff when the Titans won the 2012 Division I championship.
Tyler Arciaga played three seasons under Parrick and Raby at BVHS (1998-2000) before going on to represent the program at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. Arciaga began his coaching career at San Ysidro High School before taking over the head coaching position at Mar Vista High School.
“My best memories playing for coach Parrick would be the travel games that we had (great bonding with my teammates) and winning a Metro title my senior year (2000 Season) with all the classmates who played together since their freshman year,” Arciaga said.
“Coach Parrick has been a mentor to me as I enter my seventh year as a head coach. A lot of the things that I currently do are things that I learned from coach Parrick. One thing I do that I feel is a legacy of Coach P is traveling.
“It was a huge part of Bonita football and any player who played under him would remember the trips that we took to play games. I was fortunate enough to go to Tucson, Maui and Las Vegas while my brother (Rowdy Arciaga, who played quarterback for him from 2002-03) played La Jolla High School in Havana, Cuba.
“I currently play an out-of-town game every year so my players at Mar Vista can create lifelong memories like I did.
“Coach P was also very meticulous with inventory and great at getting a booster club going. He knew exactly how many helmets he had and everything was always neatly stored.
“He also did a great job innovating and evolving with professional development by going to colleges all over the country (Oklahoma, Clemson, ASU, U of A, etc.) and getting new schemes/plays/ideas. His ability to adapt a scheme to his players is really impressive.”
Parrick served as a defensive coordinator under Arciaga for three seasons (2011 at San Ysidro and 2015-16 at Mar Vista.
“I gave him free reign to do whatever he needed to do,” Aricaga said. “It was always nice to bounce ideas off of him as well from a head coach’s prospective.
“Coach Raby has coached with me the past two seasons and I can see why coach Parrick loved having him around. He is your prototypical blue-collar guy who is not afraid to go the extra mile.
“His attention to detail in breaking down films, creating cut-ups for the kids, and game-planning is second to none. He exemplifies what every head coach looks for in a coordinator.”
This past season was Parrick’s first year of not coaching football in 44 years of dedicated service.
He said his philosophy on coaching is his same with life. “As a football coach you are a teacher,” he said. “The most important part of coaching is teaching about life. There are going to be good times and bad times.
“We must learn from the negative experiences and turn them into something positive. Life is a journey. Take those with you that can be a positive influence in your decision-making.”
Other individuals honored for their service as head coaches at Monday’s all-star recognition program included Santana High School water polo head coach Rod Bowen, Mira Mesa High School football coach Gary Blevins and Cathedral Catholic High School cross country coach Dan Geiger.
Hilltop High School athletic director Nancy Acerrio has been involved with the HHSA for approximately 25 years. She was honored with a service award in 2007.
“The HSSA each year honors those involved in high school athletics,” she said. “It is our way of thanking people for their loyalty and untiring efforts they have given our student athletes over the years. The event brings head coaches, assistant coaches, administrators, athletic trainers, community members and media together for recognition. It allows colleagues a chance to just say ‘Thank you for all you have done and continue to do!’”
For more information, visit the website at www.sdhssa.net.
High School Sports Association Of San Diego All-Star Service Recognition
2018 Award Recipients
Administrator: Terry Kok, superintendent Calvin Christian
Community service: Bill Johnston (Chargers/Padres)
Athletic trainer: Christina Scherr, Med, ATC, Westview/Torrey Pines high schools
Special service: Dr. David E.J. Bazzo, M.D., UC San Diego
Media: Phillip Brents, The Star-News
Assistant coach: Nick Furlong (baseball), Granite Hills/Madison, University City high schools
Head coach: Carl Parrick (football), Bonita Vista/Southwest high schools
Head coach: Rod Bowen (water polo), Santana High School
Head coach: Gary Blevins (football), Mira Mesa High School
Head coach: Dan Geiger (cross country/track and field), Cathedral Catholic High School
