CAIRO – Cairo baseball skipper Chad Parkerson credits those around him for any success he’s sustained on the diamond during his coaching career. Players, coaches, administration, volunteer parents; all have been instrumental in his success at Thomas County Central and Cairo.

That’s why when he reflects on his recent 300^th win, Parkerson talks about others first before talking about himself.

“I just started thinking about all the people, players, coaches, parents that volunteer in the concession stand, bat girls; all the volunteers and all the people involved to help the production of a baseball game.  You have to depend on volunteers. It’s a little overwhelming when you think about all of that,” he said. “Then I think about all my players that I have had the privilege to coach. Some were really good, talent-wise. Others were just fired up about being part of something bigger than themselves. You need to have all of it.”

Parkerson has enjoyed his share of success while coaching. This year’s Syrupmakers are 14-4, which includes his 300th win last week against Monroe. He’s won four region championships and led one team to the quarterfinal round of the state playoffs. But if there’s an element of success he’s yet to taste that still motivates him, it is the Final Four.

“That’s always been a goal of mine,” Parkerson said. “I’ve always wanted to reach it and I think when you get to that, anything after the quarterfinals, final four or if you’re fortunate enough to play for (the championship), you’ve got to be lucky and good and probably in that order. That’s something, I’ve always wanted to do that.

“I let the players talk about their goals. I never talk about mine, but that’s mine.”

Parkerson came really close in his first year, leading the Yellow Jackets, a No. 3 seed, to the Great Eight. His best opportunity may have been in 2020, the season that was cut short because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Syrupmakers were 12-4 and had six seniors before the pandemic ended the season prematurely.

“I still haven’t gotten over the COVID year shortening the season for that group,” Parkerson said. “That was a good group. They were really talented but the thing that they had was really good chemistry.” 

The Syrupmakers could be on the brink of another region title and potential state playoff run. They’ll need to win two out of three against Central next week to claim a region championship. Whatever success Parkerson has left in his career, he’ll reflect on it with the same humbleness he exhibited when discussing his most recent milestone.

“I do not say that phrase lightly when I say I’ve been very fortunate to be around some good players and coaches,” he said. “I’ve just been very fortunate to have been around a bunch of good people for a long time. I do not take it for granted. I appreciate everything about everybody.”