Although he appeared in only eight games, and scored a total of two points during his two-year Titan career, Tom Parada was a popular and charismatic walk-on point guard for the Cal State Fullerton men's basketball team from 1989 to 1991. 

Standing at only 5'6" and weighing 130 lbs., Parada didn't look like a prototypical D-1 basketball player, but the Pasadena native had been honored as an All-San Gabriel Valley, and 2^nd Team All-Del Rey League selection while at St. Francis High School.

After being accepted to Cal State Fullerton, the self-confident freshman was determined to play college basketball. "I was going to try to walk-on due to my passion for the game," explained Parada.

Seeking out then-head coach, John Sneed, the Titans already had a solid roster which included future NBA stars, Cedric Ceballos and Bruce Bowen, as well as Mark Hill, Wayne Williams, John Sykes, and Agee Ward. Parada was given an opportunity to try out, and endured a grueling two-week conditioning program. 

Tom described his initial opportunity on the Titan Gym floor during his try out: "(Assistant) Coach (Keith) Starr had Wayne (Williams) pick me up full court, and I went right around him, and then attacked the lane and threw a lob to Cedric (Ceballos). They said, 'This guy can play.'"

Parada continued: "Coach Sneed gave me a basketball and he said to bring it back next week. It was a sign I was on the team. I brought the ball back, and I was asked, 'What's your uniform and shoe size?'"

Nicknamed "Corch," after North Carolina State's talented ball-handler, Chris Corchiani, Parada quickly became a popular member of the team. Tom fondly remembered riding on the handlebars of Titan center, John Sykes', bike en route to the long-since-closed Sizzler restaurant on Yorba Linda Blvd. 

Ceballos fondly remembered his former teammate: "(Tom's) passion and fearlessness was there from day one. It did not matter what drill we were doing, he would be the first in line to do it. After we knew that he could play, and could help out team, his confidence grew enough to bring out his good-natured sense of humor."

As a walk-on, and the last man off of the bench, Titan fans would chant "Pa-ra-da!  Pa-ra-da!" hoping that he would be called in when the talented Fullerton squad was far ahead late in a game. 

Nationally-known NBA sportswriter, Marc Stein, who was a Cal State Fullerton student and sportswriter for the Daily Titan remembered, "Thinking of Tom will always make me smile because that was such a meaningful era in Titan basketball. He was obviously a fan favorite – everyone wanted to see him get on the floor – and the Big West was as big time as it got back then with Monday night games on ESPN, and NBA players on pretty much every school's roster. I miss those days."

Opponents seemed to be almost incensed when the diminutive point guard stepped onto the court. In one unforgettable instance, a Lamar University defender picked up Tom tightly at half-court late in a blow-out game. With a slick crossover dribble, Parada juked the Lamar player to the floor, to the delighted howls of the over 2,000 rabid Fullerton fans.     

When asked about some of his favorite basketball memories, Parada remembered, "Throwing a no-look pass to Jason Hart against Tulsa, and riding on the bus to UCLA. My first-time flying was for a basketball game, and the guys teased me about the turbulence."

Ceballos added, "It was an honor and privilege to be good friends with him, and it was even more wonderful to be a teammate of his. He was there for me to keep me grounded and working hard. When Hank (Gathers) died and I was at my lowest, Tom helped to lift me up. I will always love him for that."

Over 30 years later, Parada remains in close contact with teammates, Cedric Ceballos. Agee Ward, Jason Hart, and Van Anderson. Tom also remained friends with John Sykes until his untimely death in 2020. 

Longtime Titan basketball fan, Tim Holland, perhaps said it best: "Parada may have been small in stature, but he was bigger than the game."

In 1995, Parada graduated from Cal State Fullerton with a B.S. in Kinesiology. Tom lives in Arcadia, Calif., and has a son, Isaiah, and a newborn daughter, Galilea. Tom is engaged to marry Evelyn Sepulveda in October, 2024. Parada works in Therapeutic Services at Las Encinas Hospital in Pasadena, and coaches for Play Smarter Basketball classes in Temple City and San Gabriel.  Tom also sells collectibles on eBay.