Things will come full circle for Oakridge’s Tim Parker, Nate Danicek and Matt Danicek Saturday afternoon at Lawrence Tech University’s Blue Devils Stadium in Southfield.
Parker is head coach for the West team in the 2023 Michigan High School Football Coaches Association East-West All-Star Game. Nate Danicek is one of Parker’s assistants in the game, while Danicek’s son, Matt, will be playing defensive back for their team.
“It’s exciting. We’ve had a lot of representation over the years from Oakridge,” Parker said. “It’s fun when it’s somebody I know. I’ve known Matt since he was a baby. I mean, Nate and me have been friends since he started here (at Oakridge) in 2000. I’m excited about that part of it, too.”
Kickoff for the all-star game is 1 p.m. Saturday.
Another coach with Muskegon-area ties, Traverse City Central assistant Tim Odette, also is part of Parker’s West squad staff this week.
The MHSFCA all-star game features 16 coaches and roughly 70 of the top senior players across the state.
Parker has been affiliated with the all-star game for 25 years. Legendary, former Oakridge coach Jack Schugars got Parker involved as an equipment manager.
Parker, 51, is a 1989 Oakridge alumnus and high school math teacher in the district, who has been coaching football in the Eagles program for 27 years. He’s been a varsity assistant for a couple decades, including serving as defensive coordinator since 2008.
“This is my last go-around with (the all-star game), so that’s how they kind of drew me into coaching this year,” Parker said.
“I’m excited. It’s a great honor,” Parker said. “It’s fun because you get to know a lot of other kids from around and that you normally don’t get to coach or see. I’m super excited about that part of it.”
Matt Danicek, who recently received the Muskegon Area Sports Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete Award, was an all-state defensive back and three-year varsity starter for Oakridge’s football program. He also played quarterback and handled punting duties for the Eagles.
Danicek said it’s a special opportunity to be able to play one last game, especially with his dad on the sidelines part of it as well. At Oakridge, Nate Danicek serves as offensive coordinator.
“I feel like it’s a really good opportunity because obviously I get one last shot with my dad and coach Parker and it’s just a cool experience,” Matt Danicek said. “Not only that, I just feel like it’s almost like a college experience, too, because we get to stay in dorms for a couple days and our schedule’s busy, too. I feel like it’s going to be a really cool experience.”
All-star coaches reported to the Lawrence Tech University campus Wednesday night, while players checked on Thursday morning.
The teams had two practices Thursday and they’ll have three more Friday before it’s showtime on Saturday. Recently, the West squad assembled for a practice at Jenison High School.
Matt Danicek is the lone West Michigan Conference representative in the all-star game. Other Muskegon-area players on the West team include Mona Shores’ Dahmir Farnum and KeWaun Farnum, Muskegon’s D’Andre Hudgins, Fruitport’s Paschal Jolman, and Spring Lake’s Alex Lee.
Parker is thrilled that Matt Danicek is playing in the game, even if there may be an ulterior motive.
“He can run my defensive backs for me. That’s one of the reasons I’m excited he’s playing,” Parker quipped.
Matt Danicek, who does not intend on playing sports at Muskegon Community College, is trying to savor the experience this week.
The 5-foot-11, 180-pounder was a three-sport, competitive athlete at Oakridge, so he’s eager to see how he stacks up against the other players in Saturday’s game.
“All I know is there’s going to be a lot of good talent and some big boys,” he said.
“It’s just cool because I know (Tim Parker and Nate Danicek are) two great coaches and they know the game very well. I’m just glad that I can be a part of that.”
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