CELTIC-NATION
You were born on October 30, 1953, in Shreveport, Louisiana.  Please share some of the memories from your childhood – especially those of growing up the son of Robert Sr. and Ada Parish – and also some of the events in your life that led you to the basketball court.

ROBERT PARISH
We were a close-knit, happy family, and this closeness was fostered mainly by my mother.  She was a religious woman.  She taught us the fundamental beliefs from the bible.  She taught us the importance of faith and religion, and also the importance of being respectful.  We learned courtesy at a very early age.  My parents worked hard to provide for us – there were four children, and I was the oldest, with one brother and two sisters – and they always stressed the value of a good work ethic.  They also wanted us to get an education.  They knew how important a degree would be when it came time to find work.  A degree meant the difference between a career and a life of hard work.

CELTIC-NATION
You credit your junior high school coach, Coleman Kidd, with spurring your interest in basketball.  Please tell me a little about Mr. Kidd.

ROBERT PARISH
Coleman Kidd deserves all the credit for the things that led up to me playing basketball.  I had never played basketball until I was in junior high school.  He was persistent; he saw the potential in me, even when I didn’t see it myself, and he kept after me to pick up a ball and play competitively.  I showed very little interest initially, but he stayed with me, kept encouraging me, and kept me positive – even though I wasn’t showing a desire to play the game of basketball.  So if I had to pick one factor that left me to the basketball court, it would have to be Coleman Kidd.  If it weren’t for him, I would have been just another tall kid walking around the streets of Shreveport [laughs].

CELTIC-NATION
You played high school basketball for Woodlawn.  Is it true that your coach, Ken Ivy, spanked you with a wooden stick when you failed to show up for that second practice?

ROBERT PARISH
Nope.  Not true.

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