GETTYSBURG, Pa. – The Gettysburg College Office of College Advancement and Intercollegiate Athletics has announced the establishment of The Robert '62 & Marsha '62 Parker and The Parker Foundation Endowed Fund for Men's Basketball.

The fund celebrates the generous commitment the Parkers have shown toward the Gettysburg men's basketball program since their graduation from the College in 1962. Robert "Wheaties" Parker is one of the most decorated Bullets in the storied history of the men's basketball program.

"Through the unwavering support of Robert & Marsha Parker and The Parker Foundation Endowed Fund for Men's Basketball, we are not only securing the future of our program but also reaffirming our commitment to excellence," head men's basketball coach B.J. Dunne said. "This endowment will serve as a lasting legacy, enabling us to continue developing our student-athletes to excel on and off the court. We are deeply grateful for the Parker's family generosity, and we are excited to build upon this foundation to achieve even greater success in the years ahead."

Parker and classmate Ron Warner were one of the best backcourt combinations in college basketball during their time in the sport. The tandem combined for 3,073 points in their 77 games together on the court. Both are members of the 1,000-point club, reaching the milestone in just three seasons of varsity action. Parker finished with 1,193 points (15.5 points per game) and was a career 43-percent shooter from the floor. He also pulled down 324 rebounds. He netted 15 20-point performances or better in his career with a high of 28. If assists records were kept in those days, he would have established an unbeatable record. Warner scored 1,880 and averaged a still-record 24.4 points per game. He shot better than 50 percent from the floor for his career, 78.4 percent from the free-throw line and averaged 6.8 rebounds per game.

Parker is a 1980 inductee in the Gettysburg College Hall of Athletic Honor. The Philadelphia native scored more than 60 points in three appearances at the Palestra. Because of his unselfish ability to mesh with Warner's talents, the Philadelphia sportswriters were unanimous in naming them the best backcourt combination in all college basketball.

Warner was inducted in the Hall in 1978. The Associated Press named him to their "SmallS All-America team – for those under 6-feet tall. He was selected the unanimous choice for two straight years on the All-State and All-East teams he was given honorable mention major college All-America on both the UPI and AP team. He was also voted the most valuable visiting player to the city of Philadelphia, the first time the award was presented to a player who did not compete in the Palestra.

All gifts that are contributed to the endowment will exclusively provide budget-enhancing support for the men's basketball coach and program, including but not limited to support for the basketball facility, equipment purchases, recruitment, and professional development opportunities for the coaching staff.