Bright future for Pettit at MIT

There are few who don't know his name.

Parker Pettit, a three-year varsity quarterback and a two-year captain at Sandpoint High School, helped the Bulldogs claim the 2022 4A Inland Empire championship and led the team all the way to the 2022 Idaho Football State Tournament's semifinals.

“He was a three-time IEL Offensive Player of the Year and MVP of the IEL as a senior,” head football coach Ryan Knowles said. “To combine that with getting into one of the best colleges in the world is amazing.”

In the 2022 season, Pettit passed for 152 yards a game while amassing 1,523 total yards through the air, completed 97 of his 155 pass attempts and had 19 touchdowns with eight interceptions. He rushed for 589 yards on 90 carries, an average of 6.54 yards per carry and 58.9 yards per game.

Since his junior year, he’s been recruited by Yale, Harvard, Dartmouth and Johns Hopkins, to name a few. One school stood out: MIT.

“Coach Knowles helped me set up a lot of the East Coast visits,” Pettit said.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a Division III school located in Cambridge, Mass. The school is part of the NEWMAC conference, which includes schools like Springfield, Catholic, Norwich and Coast Guard. Because it is a D3 school, athletic scholarships aren’t offered, but it does offer financial aid in other ways.

Within the shared-values statements found in MIT’s athlete handbook, four major points are highlighted: community, education, leadership and wellness. Those who have followed Pettit’s career over the last couple of years will know, in his case, just how fitting those values are.

“We talk a lot about not putting limits on yourself,” Knowles said. “Parker is proof that you can do it all.”

The Bulldogs' quarterback and his family reached out to MIT via Twitter. They sent the school film, and MIT responded with interest.

“MIT was my first pick,” Pettit said. I’m really interested in studying artificial intelligence.”

A seemingly perfect fit, as the school is No. 1 in the world for computer sciences.

After visiting the school with his family earlier this spring, Pettit finally made his official visit to MIT. He was able to meet future teammates and get a taste of what classes might be like.

“My only official visit was to MIT,” Pettit said. “I had been there twice before on unofficial visits.”

Pettit and a handful of athletes who were also on the recruiting trip started with a tour of MIT's athletic facilities. They were then paired with a football player who would host them for the day by taking them to classes and showing them around. After that, Pettit got some free time to hang out with the current players and other recruits.

The following day, recruits took a campus tour before heading back to their respective states.

“I’m mixed on moving,” Pettit said. “I really like Boston, I really like the area, but it will be interesting to see how it goes moving so far away.”

Pettit said he’ll definitely be competing for a spot at quarterback in his freshman year.

“If I don’t play quarterback, I’ll probably be playing at another spot like safety or running back,” he said.

Whether playing quarterback or finding success in the classroom, Pettit has the whole community behind him, Knowles said.

“He has left an impact on the town and all who will follow him,” Knowles added.

The feeling is mutual, as Pettit feels just the same toward those who have helped him. He gave thanks to his family, coaches and many of his teachers who have encouraged and guided him through life.

“I’m super grateful for coach Knowles, coach Yarno and coach Thielbahr,” Pettit said. “I wouldn’t have been able to get to where I am without them.”

Shout-outs were also given to Mr. Fry, who taught Pettit in 8th grade math and again sophomore year, Mrs. Klein, his primary schoolteacher and Mr. Gooding and Ms. Auld. When asked what he’s most excited about in his next chapter at MIT, Pettit responded wisely.

“Being around people that are really driven, smart and want to work harder,” he said. “Both on the football team and in school.”

Although the Bulldogs won’t physically have Pettit around to help them next year, Knowles said he isn’t letting go of his star quarterback that easily.

“I might get a shirt with Parker's face on it and, the next time someone says the word ‘can’t,' I'll just point at him,” Knowles said. “His future is so bright.”