Laurel High Principal Dwayne Jones has known Athletic Director Terry Parfitt for a long time.
It was, after all, Parfitt who gave Jones the job of boys basketball coach. Jones has also taught alongside Parfitt in the physical education department.
But, the principal's favorite memory of Parfitt dates back to Jones' days as a student.
"(Parfitt) was coaching High Point High when we won the state title in 1980," Jones said. "We went in there and they were heavily favored, but we came away with the win."
Parfitt remembers that game, too, but said Jones left out part of the story.
"He seems to think he was good," Parfitt said. "He had a few rebounds, but it was the other guys that did the work."
"I know I can score," Jones retorted with a smile. "I didn't have a jump-shot, but I know my role. I was a rebounder."
Thirty-one years after that game and after more than 20 years of working with Jones and 41 years total in Prince George's County Public Schools, Parfitt is calling it a career June 20.
"After 41 years, it was just time," Parfitt said. "I've enjoyed working with the kids, the teachers and the coaches, but it's just the right time.
Jones said the school will feel different without Parfitt roaming the sidelines at Laurel High sporting events.
"He's been ingrained with people here since when I was here," Jones said. "He's one of the last vestiges of that old-school mentality from the 1980s."
Parfitt started working in Prince George's County in 1970 shortly after graduating from West Virginia University. He first worked at Mount Rainier Junior High, and after stints at Friendly and High Point High, Parfitt finally landed at Laurel in 1983, taking over as the boys varsity soccer coach.
Parfitt coached the boys team until 1992, when he switched to become the school's girls soccer coach, three years after being named athletic director.
Parfitt said he decided he wanted to be a physical education teacher as a high school student in upstate New York. He also hoped to become a coach during his time playing soccer and basketball.
"I looked up to my high school phys ed teacher and he was also the school's AD," Parfitt said. "He inspired me, and even made me want to be an AD. I probably didn't expect to be one for two decades, but it was certainly a goal."
Tornadoes and other memories
While his career is full of memories, Parfitt said one stands out above all others: The tornado that roared through Laurel on Sept. 24, 2001.
"It was just a couple weeks after 9/11, I remember, and we had just finished a home (girls soccer) game," he said. "(Assistant coach) Lou (Slavin) and I were in the press box and I looked out and the tornado was headed straight for us. It was terrifying."
The two coaches huddled together as the tornado roared by, ripping the roof off the school's annex. But, fortunately, neither was harmed.
But, he noted, just a year later he was able to add one of his happiest memories of his career, when he coached Laurel's girls soccer team to its first, and only, state semi-finals appearance.
"We lost, but the path was just fun," Parfitt said. "Coaching that team is a great memory for me."
Parfitt said he will miss the daily interactions with students and coaches, but looks forward to spending more time with his wife, Debbie. He said she plans to continue working, and while they are already planning to go on a cruise next April, he mostly plans on relaxing.
"I'll probably play a lot of golf, and I can be the house maid a little bit," he said. "It will definitely be nice not to wake up at 5:30 a.m. every day."
Jones said it will be odd not to have Parfitt around – "I don't even know who works for who anymore," he said – and that the school will miss his competitive drive and humor.
"He has that fiery spirit and a drive to compete," Jones said. "There were a couple of times (during basketball games) when I'd have to grab him and pull him back to the bench before he got a technical foul. But at the same time, he was a jokester and loved having fun and pulling a good prank."
Jones did think of one upside to the athletic director's departure.
"There won't be anyone around to critique my game on the court," Jones said.