Parker Stewart – Coming Home to UTM

Playing in Front of Mom and for his Dad

(St. Louis, MO) – Parker Stewart is back home at UT Martin. He’ll be playing in front of his Mom and his family, but in some ways, he is playing for his Dad. Stewart was a Skyhawk star during the 2019-20 season and he has returned to Martin, Tennessee for his final season of eligibility.

Beginning his collegiate career at Pitt (2017-18) and averaging 9.1 points per game, he decided to transfer to UTM and play for his father. Anthony Stewart was a basketball coach, a businessman and a mentor to many young men.

Anthony hoped to bring a business approach to coaching and developing his players. He wanted them to know how to succeed in life. While assisting Heath Schroyer during two seasons at UT Martin the Skyhawks achieved outstanding success.

Schroyer moved to a new position and Stewart led the Skyhawks to a program-tying 22 wins and an Ohio Valley Conference West Division title. The younger Stewart sat out the 2018-19 season and exploded onto the OVC scene the next year.

Parker averaged 19.2 points per game and was named to the OVC’s all-newcomer team and was a second-team, all-conference performer. As the Skyhawks prepped for the 2020-21 season, Parker’s life and UTM’s basketball program sustained a tragic blow.

Just prior to the 2020-21 season (November 15), the 50-year-old Anthony Stewart suddenly passed away. The younger Stewart understandably took time away from the game and from college. UTM won just eight games without their beloved head coach and their star player.

Parker needed a fresh start and transferred to Indiana. After a season with the Hoosiers where he averaged 6.2 points, he was faced with another decision. Would he play professional basketball or play one more year of college hoops?

Coming Home to UTM

Stewart originally thought turning professional was the best route, but his mother Cheryl, thought differently.

“I was actually planning on going pro after my season at IU, and was actually very close to signing a Contract to go play in New Zealand for the summer,” said Stewart. “However my mom wasn’t so much on board with that idea.”

Second-year UTM coach Ryan Ridder didn’t initially actively recruit Parker, but he did want to know Cheryl and Parker and reach out to help in any way possible. Once Ridder realized Parker might play another season, he opened the door for a possible UTM return.

Originally Ridder simply opened the door to relationship with the Stewart family and offered to serve them in some way.

He returns to the Skyhawk program after an extremely valuable season with Indiana. When deciding to return to college hoops he narrowed his decision down to two programs. UTM won out, largely because of relational ties.

“My final two schools were UTM and Minnesota,” said Stewart. “There’s nothing like being back home in West Tennessee where they took my family and I in like their own.”

While committing to Ridder and the Skyhawks Parker knows the home coming to won’t be totally easy.

“I think the hardest part for me will be playing in that gym again without my Dad there on the sidelines,” said Stewart. “It will be an adjustment and feel different I’m sure, but also some of my favorite basketball memories are in that gym playing for him.”

Indiana Experience

After taking time away from the game and college Stewart enrolled at and played for Indiana. While starting 31 games for Mike Woodson, he was no longer looked upon for big scoring numbers, but rather to play some defense and play a new position.

“It was a big change of roles for me on the court,” revealed Stewart. “Playing more of a three and a defensive role there, but accepting that and doing my job earned me a starting role and big minutes. I’m grateful for my time there.”

The Hoosiers and won 21 games and participated in the NCAA Tournament. During their brief stay in March Madness, they defeated Wyoming and dropped their second-round game to St. Mary’s.

His experience in the Big Ten left an indelible impression on the 6’5 wing. After playing in the Atlantic Coast Conference at Pitt, he understood ‘big time college basketball’ but Stewart says that Indiana and the fans take the experience to a whole different level.

“My experience at Indiana was one I will never forget, both on and off the court,” shared Stewart. “I never knew what it meant to be an Indiana Hoosier but I found out very quickly. If you play basketball at IU you’re a celebrity in the whole state of Indiana. Just about every game was sold out and playing in the Big Ten and making the NCAA tournament was a great experience.”

Stewart averaged over six points for the Hoosiers and played 37 minutes during their tournament win over Wyoming.

Coming Home to UTM – Part Two

This return to Skyhawk basketball is far more emotional than the first time around. He will be getting accustomed to his fourth Division 1 college basketball head coach and returning to a place where he was a star.

He’s also returning to family, friends and his father’s legacy.

Stewart says his three previous coaches all took different approaches to coaching their teams and he has great respect for his new head coach Ryan Ridder.

“I’ve yet to play a game or have a real practice for Coach Ridder yet but through summer workouts I’ve gotten a good idea of what kind of coach he is,” admitted Stewart. “Coach Ridder likes to give guys confidence to be themselves, and as a player that’s the best thing a coach can do for you. This coaching staff is a lot younger than any I’ve played for, but I have a lot of respect for Coach Ridder because I know how hard it is to become a head D1 coach, so for him to accomplish what he has is big time. I look forward to playing and learning from him in my last season.”

Family Relations

Parker Stewart’s relationship with his mother is significant in all of this. Coming home means being close to Mom and that has deep meaning to mother and son.

“Yes, I love my mother, and I’m excited to be back closer to her,” shared Stewart. “My family actually still lives in Martin so I get to be with them all of the time.”

Ridder says the family dynamic was the most important Stewart’s return to UTM.

“He began to share how close he was with his family,” said Ridder. “It became very apparent how close his family dynamic was. He is a great man. This is a young man with his head on straight. He has priorities. I’m excited about what he brings to our younger guys.”

Stewart will be playing in front of family and friends and he’ll be playing for his father. He wants to honor his father and also create some UT Martin history. Early in the season he will pass the 1,000 career point mark and he’ll do that in a Skyhawk uniform, but he’s looking for more than points on a scoreboard.

“I’ll honor my father by wearing #45 again this season, his college number he wore,” said Stewart. “And also by trying do something that hasn’t been done at UTM before and that’s make the NCAA tournament, that is what he always wanted.”

There is an old sports journalist axiom “no cheering in the press box”, but this season, I’ll be cheering for Parker Stewart.

Do Good

Editor: Here is our first interview with Anthony Stewart from November of 2016.