Guilford Adds Two to Athletics Staff

Greensboro, NC (10/11/01) -- Guilford College Athletic Director Mike Ketchum announced the appointment of Matt Parke as an assistant men’s basketball coach and Mike Johnston as an assistant women’s soccer coach Thursday.

Parke joins head coach Butch Estes’ team as an assistant coach for the upcoming season. Originally from Bangor, ME, Parke graduated from Colby College with a bachelor’s degree in economics in 1997. He began his teaching and coaching career later that year just south of Boston at Derby Academy. From 1997-99, Parke served as head coach for the boys’ varsity basketball team as well as the boys’ junior varsity lacrosse team.

Parke went on to teach and coach at Oak Ridge Military Academy (NC) where he is currently serving as the head golf coach. He was responsible for leading the boys’ varsity basketball team from a 3-18 record in his first year to a 17-6 mark and its first Triad Athletic Conference championship in 2001-01. His experience also includes coaching at many summer basketball camps including those at North Carolina Chapel Hill, Duke, Harvard, Norte Dame, and Northeastern. He has also coached the 17-and-under Greensboro Gaters’ 'B' AAU team.

Johnston replaces his brother, Mark, as head coach Forrest Collier’s assistant. A native of Greensboro, Johnston obtained a bachelor’s degree in exercise and sport science from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1998. Johnston’s coaching experience began in college as coach of UNCG’s women’s club soccer team from 1995-2000. Johnston led his team to winning records in 10 of 11 seasons (fall and spring) and five regional championship tournaments. His 1998 team received an invitation to the national club soccer championship tournament.

In 1998, Johnston began working as an assistant boys’ and girls' soccer coach at Greensboro Day School (GDS). With his assistance, GDS won the girls’ state championships in 1999 and 2000 and finished second in 2001. He also assisted the boys’ team, which gained a state title in 2000.

Some of Johnston’s other accomplishments include serving as the coordinator for the Twisters Soccer Club during 2000-01. He was an assistant coach for the under-18 Twisters White and the under-17 Twisters Green. He also served as a pool trainer for the under-15 through under-18 groups in the fall of 2000. He remains on staff with the 1984 Twisters White club and also serves as the goalkeepers coach for Guilford’s men’s soccer team.