#RaiseThePlaid

On Saturday night, the Boston University men’s hockey team will retire the jersey number that 40 year head coach Jack Parker wore during his playing career. But here in the Dean of Students office, we think instead of raising a hockey jersey to the rafters, they should raise the plaid.

Jack Parker was a solid hockey player for the Terriers from 1965-1968. But would they be retiring his number if he hadn’t been so successful as a coach? And what did he wear during some of his most successful coaching wins?

Plaid.

Glorious plaid. Plaid sport coats that resemble the best holiday formal wear of Don Draper. Plaid sport coats that look like Brooks Brothers began a special Canadian Lumberjack Collection.

Let’s celebrate Coach Parker’s love of colorful sport coats. (It wasn’t just plaid. There was grey textured, brown and beige checkered, Pro Football Hall of Fame gold…) Find a plaid sport coat or blazer. Goodwill down on West Campus might be a good place to start. Wear it with your hockey jersey or favorite BU shirt on Saturday night and make your way to Agganis Arena for 6:30pm. If you need a ticket, let our office know (@BU_FYI, @DeanElmore, or just stop in the third floor of the Dean of Students office.)

And if you scoff at this idea, just know that it’s not just us. Remember that the entire men’s hockey team scoured thrift stores for plaid sport coats to wear to honor of Parker’s last games. (Or so we’ve been told. We’ve requested photo proof.)

Show those incredible sport coats, blazers and the like on social media with the hashtag #RaiseThePlaid.