Academy of Art University Athletics

Dan Parker enters his second season as assistant coach for Academy of Art University baseball in 2015-16.

Working alongside head coach Dan McDermott in his first year at ART U, Parker helped the Urban Knights finish the season tied for the second-most wins in program history with one of their athletes, senior starting pitcher Nate Gercken, drafted in the 17th round of the MLB Draft on June 10. He earned the team's Pitcher of the Year and Most Valuable Player awards, was PacWest Pitcher of the Week at one point, and was a major contributor to the team's 11 new records set in 2015. Additionally, junior center fielder Joseph Marchini was an All-PacWest honoree.

Prior to coaching at Academy of Art, Parker served as associate head coach for Diablo Valley College baseball in 2013-14. An assistant coach at both Napa Valley College (2011-12) and Justin Siena High School (2009-10), he began his coaching career as a head coach for both St. Helena High School (2007-08) and Tamalpias High School (2005-06). 

After being drafted by the Houston Astros in 1999, Parker played professional baseball for four years. An accomplished baseball student-athlete, Parker competed for Diablo Valley College from 1997-99, earning All-Conference honors in his final two seasons.