The school has talented, top-tier athletes in all sports, ranging from soccer to basketball. However, few can attest to participating in both – except, that is, if you’re senior Parker Forbes.

He was a midfielder in 2020 – 2021’s varsity soccer team and shooting guard in varsity basketball. Forbes was commended for his play in both of these positions. For example, in 2021 Forbes earned the 25 – 5A Newcomer of the year award for soccer when he scored nine goals in eight games – while joining mid-district season. He didn’t join the team without any experience, however. Since 2017, he’s been a part of the Lonestar soccer club in Austin, TX.

“I have always loved soccer, but when I joined Lonestar, my passion for the game definitely grew,” Forbes said. “I met so many great mentors and friends through soccer and I wouldn’t trade those experiences for anything. I really enjoyed my time at Lonestar Soccer Club.”

Before 2021, the year he joined varsity boys’ soccer, he was disallowed from joining a high school soccer team due to guidelines laid out by Lonestar’s Development League. In 2021, however, he advanced to the Elite Clubs National League and subsequently joined the boys’ varsity soccer team, leading them to regional quarterfinals before getting knocked out by Southwest. Forbes’ passion for soccer, and sports in general, stem from a very young age.

“My interest in sports goes way back to when I was three or four years old,” Forbes said. “I grew up watching and playing sports 24/7. There is no form of competition purer than that found in sports, and I’m an extremely competitive person.”

His achievements in other sports are not to be understated. Although the basketball team was knocked out before playoffs, he was the only student from CPHS to win Academic All-State from the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches. This means that he excelled enough on both the court and with his grades, a balance that Forbes manages with to-do lists.

“My secret to excelling at both school and sports are to-do lists,” Forbes said. “I’m a huge fan of to-do lists because they help me focus on little goals I need to accomplish each day to get where I want to go.”

Sports have given Forbes the competitive kick he likes to experience as he outmaneuvers the opposing team to score a goal. However, just as important to Forbes are the friends he met along the way in the forms of teammates and coaches.

“To be honest, I don’t play sports for the accomplishments and accolades,” Forbes said. “I enjoy competing, and I especially enjoy competing with others beside me. It’s a great feeling to be with a group of guys and make memories with them.”

Although he is preparing to walk onto the field at Gupton Stadium for the last time for his graduation, Forbes will continue his education and passion for soccer at the University of Louisville. Forbes has committed to the university and will play on the Division 1 men’s soccer team. In addition to his participation on the soccer team, Forbes will also double major in business finance and sports management in hopes to one day become a manager for the NFL or NBA.

“I want to become a general manager in the NBA or NFL because I love sports and competition,” Forbes said. “I would really enjoy working behind the scenes, managing a team as we reach towards winning a championship.”

University of Louisville wasn’t Forbes’ first pick. Initially, he enrolled in Appalachian State University, a college in Boone, North Carolina with a men’s soccer team famous statewide – until it was disbanded due to the financial strain COVID-19 brought on.

“Initially, I was disappointed when Appalachian State had to get rid of their soccer program,” Forbes said. “However, I knew God had a plan for me and that he would place me exactly where he wanted me. I’m super excited for what’s to come, and I’m so blessed and grateful to be playing at the University of Louisville.”