The dynamic coaching duo of Dr. Christopher Parks, ‘90 and Mr. Mark Thomey, ‘89 have known each other since childhood and continued their journey together all the way through high school before reuniting to coach for 25 years and counting.

Coach Parks and Coach Thomey have been coaching together at McQuaid Jesuit since 1993. They began their coaching career together when the two were approached by their former, and at the current time, varsity volleyball coach.  Coach Edward Waller was one of the founding fathers of volleyball at McQuaid Jesuit. Coach Waller was searching for a JV volleyball coach and had approached Parks and Thomey. Originally, they could not do it, but they eventually found a way to split the coaching hours.

“When Coach Waller was looking for a JV coach and neither one of us was able to do it, we looked at each other and said ‘Well, wait a minute, we both have conflicts, but our conflicts are different…we could do this together,’” said Coach Parks.

Coach Parks and Coach Thomey grew up playing backyard football and baseball together and also lived down the street from one another.  Having been in the program for so long, their relationship has only grown closer and stronger.

In 2015, Coach Parks and Coach Thomey had a winning record of 301-41, but these two coaches will not take the credit for themselves.

“Correction, I have not created such a successful program–we have,” said Coach Parks. “Well, not even just Coach Thomey, but Coach Sommers, Coach Terades, Coach O’Hara, Coach Piet, Coach Costello, Coach Whalen, Coach O’Dell, Coach Schlegel, Coach Solomon, and Coach Mowery.”

Coach Parks said that because of these coaches’ contributions, this program has become one of the most successful in Rochester.

“They focus a lot more on developing the mental aspects of players, and they teach us to create a balance with all things we do in life but specifically being able to manage being a student-athlete at McQuaid,” said senior Dan Lynch.

Due to coaching at McQuaid Jesuit, Coach Parks also met his wife, Mrs. Jenn Parks, with whom he now has four children.

The coaching duo have also had the privilege of coaching many successful athletes who continued their volleyball careers at the next level, collegiately and professionally.  Over the years, Coach Parks and Coach Thomey have chosen to stay with McQuaid Jesuit volleyball over several other coaching offers as well as other teaching positions.

“They have been able to educate me, not only in the life of volleyball, but in the life of becoming a man for others,” said senior Frank DiFelice.