Sept. 27, 2004

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Western Washington University linebacker Jeff Parks has been named Great Northwest Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week for Sept. 19-25.

Parks, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound sophomore from Graham (Bethel High graduate), was credited with a career-high 11 tackles, including two quarterback sacks for losses of 11 yards. He also forced a fumble and broke up a pass as the Vikings rallied with 18 fourth quarter points to defeat archrival Central Washington, 28-21, in the second annual Battle in Seattle before 11,458 fans at Qwest Field.

Parks, who was making his first start of the season, originally attended Boise State University. He played in nine games for the Vikings last season as a redshirt freshman.

Western (3-1) travels to Western Oregon University on Saturday (1 p.m.) for a GNAC counter.