COACH P SPEAKS
Travis Parker was born on January 15, 1967 in Montclair, New Jersey. He moved to the Boykins/Branchville area in 1974. He graduated from Southampton High School in Courtland, VA. Travis Parker, affectionately known as “Coach P” or “P”, then graduated from Howard University in 1989 with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Economics.
In 2007, Parker graduated from Cambridge College with a Master’s Degree in School Counseling. Then in 2010, he graduated Cambridge College again with a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership (K-12). Coach P’s professional experience in education began as a teacher in the Southampton County Public School System in 1996.
He taught Life Science at Southampton Middle School, and then became the Director of School Counseling from 2007-2009. In 2009, he secured a position as the Director of Upward Bound at Paul D. Camp Community College in Franklin, VA, and then became an Adjunct Instructor in Mathematics in 2010.
Coach P received most of his athletic coaching experience as a high school football coach for over 20 years, softball coach for 6 years and baseball coach for 3 years. Additionally, he is a member of the Virginia High School Coaches Association and a VHSL and NCAA basketball official. He is the commissioner of the Tri-City Basketball Officials Association and in 2004 he was awarded Teacher of the Year for Southampton Middle School.
Coach P, LLC was derived from his many years in athletic leadership and sports coaching roles. The name Coach P was given to Travis by his students, players and the public of Southampton County and Franklin, VA. Living in the Boykins, VA area since his childhood, Coach P has significant relationships with local leaders, students, educational administrators and has touched the lives of thousands of youth. He comes from a family full of educators. Many were, and still are teachers or educational administrators.
His life’s passion is to equip young people and adults to be significant in their personal, educational and professional lives. To date, Coach P individually mentors and coaches almost 25 people, and hundreds of people depend on his motivation and encouragement to push them to their destiny.
Catherine
“Coach P is an amazing mentor, father-figure, & coach! He has a huge heart & he is willing and able to help anyone in need. Coach P has been in my life since I was a freshman in high school and I honestly do not think I would be where I am today if it wasn’t for him being there motivating me to do better! Coach P has been there for me academically, financially, and emotionally no matter what time I called or texted him. Coach P wants nothing but the best for his students, and he does everything in his will to make sure that we are successful!”
Franklin High School ’17, Paul D Camp Community College ‘17 & currently pursing a bachelor degree from Old Dominion University
Angel
“Where do I begin? Coach P is one of a kind! He wants nothing but the absolute best for all of the students he mentors! He has motivated me to step outside of my comfort zone and pursue college courses at the high school level and always given me that extra boost when I may have doubted myself! I can honestly say that without his encouragement and EXPOSURE I may not have achieved some of my many accomplishments to date! Thank you Coach P!
Lakeland High School ‘14, and Old Dominion University ‘17
Abigail
“Coach P has been a pillar for me throughout my academic career. He has been a teacher, mentor, counselor and someone that I greatly admire. He taught me the importance of not only hard work but also exceeding my own expectations. He taught me to never give up until I demolished all of the goals I have set for both my academics and my career. He gave me the tools that I needed to be able to succeed in life...but....not without hard work, determination and a positive attitude. Lastly, he taught me the power of exposing myself to new opportunities and experiences and without that, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
Franklin High School ’13, Paul D Camp Community College ’15, Hampton University ‘17 & currently pursuing a graduate degree from George Mason University
Kea
"Coach P has been a very influential person in my life. There was a point in time where I just felt that college was not for me, but Coach P motivated and pushed me to get the most out of what this world has to offer. I am now working on my Masters Degree and none of this would have been possible without his guidance!”
Lakeland High School ’11, Old Dominion University ’15 & currently pursuing a graduate degree from The Chicago School of Psychology
Kateisha
