Hall of Fame
Arthur G. “Art” Parkhurst was a coach and administrator at Northwestern for 29 years. A native of Cherokee, Parkhurst served in the South Pacific with the U.S. Marines during World War II. After the war, he started his college career at Oklahoma State University, switched to Northwestern after one semester and put in two seasons (1946 and 1947) running from the fullback position on the Ranger football team. His junior and senior years were spent at Kansas State College in Pittsburg, Kan., where he also played football and received his bachelor’s degree. Parkhurst also received his master’s degree at Pittsburg and served coaching stints at El Dorado Springs, Mo., High School from 1950-53, and Dodge City Community College from 1953-56. Parkhurst became head football coach for the Rangers in 1956 serving in that capacity until 1964 and was recalled to serve again in 1972-73. He also worked as head coach in track (’56), tennis (’57), baseball (’59) and golf (1967-83 and 1985). He was an assistant coach in football from 1965-68. He assisted in basketball from 1956-63 and in track in 1957 and 1958. He served as athletic director from 1957 to 1966 and headed the physical education department from 1957 until his retirement in 1985. He and his wife June make their home in Alva.
