A resolution passed by the Boone and Crockett Club board of directors has renamed the Club's triennial youth awards and event in honor of former Club president Jack Steele Parker.
Parker, who passed away recently, was active in Boone and Crockett for 44 years.
At its 27th Big Game Awards in 2010, the Club launched its Generation Next Awards to honor youths who recently entered a trophy into Boone and Crockett Club's Awards Programs. Over the next three years, young hunters age 16 and under entered 152 Boone and Crockett-qualifying trophies. At the recent 28th Big Game Awards Program, the Generation Next Awards sponsored by Leica Sport Optics proved to be one of the event's most popular and inspirational highlights.
"We literally had tears in the room. Parents were proud, of course, but everyone was moved by the words and sentiments and foresight of these kids. It's obvious to all who attended that we're leaving conservation in very good hands," said Boone and Crockett President Bill Demmer. "The power of that event is a fitting way to honor the memory and name of one of our most devoted, wise and inspirational leaders."
Per the board's resolution, the Generation Next awards and event will be forever named the Jack S. Parker Generation Next youth event at each triennial awards program, the next being in 2016.
Parker, the retired Vice Chairman and Executive Officer of General Electric was a regular member of Boone and Crockett from 1969-2000 and an honorary life member since 2001, served in a great variety of leadership capacities and committee assignments. His presidential term was 1980-82. Parker was prominent on the Club's Records Committee from 1971-2013. He played a significant role in many organizational achievements from computerizing historical records data, to securing the acquisition of the National Collection of Heads and Horns from the Bronx Zoo in 1978, to organizing funding for the Club's Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Ranch in Montana. He was honored with Boone and Crockett Club's cherished Sagamore Hill Award in 2007.