IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers LIVING LEGEND—In 35 years coaching girls' basketball at Newbury Park High, Nori Parvin has never received a technical foul. Not once. Last week at the Buena Kiwanis Tournament, Parvin logged her 500th career coaching victory with the Panthers.

It's been 35 years since Nori Parvin won her first game as head coach of the Newbury Park High girls' basketball team, so you can forgive her if she doesn't remember where the game was played or who it was against.

Parvin's current players, however, weren't about to let their coach forget the team's victory last Thursday at Buena High—the 500th of Parvin's coaching career.

With a 52-48 win over Buena in the Buena Kiwanis Tournament, Parvin became only the second girls' basketball coach in Ventura County to record 500 victories, and the first female to attain the feat.

"Record-wise, I don't really follow the numbers of how many wins I have," Parvin said. "It's mostly my co-coaches, players and other teachers that let me know. I knew going into this season that I was five wins away, so I knew it was coming soon."

Panther senior guard Sidney Dobner, who also plays for Parvin on the NPHS girls' golf team, said the coach never mentioned the potential milestone before the Buena game.

"We kept it on the down-low in practice all week, but the team knew about it," Dobner said.

"Right before the game, the team huddled up, and I told them, 'Tonight's for Parvin. It's Buena at Buena. We have to win tonight.'"

Inspired by senior co-captain Doris ParkSherman, the entire roster wrote '500' on their arms. Later on, Dobner looked at the writing before she attempted three free throws that helped seal the win.

"When (Dobner) went to the free-throw line, I yelled out to her, 'Just pretend like its practice in our 50-50 games,'" Parvin said.

"She turned to me, smiled, and showed me the 500 written on her arm as she said, 'I got your back, Parvy.'"

Parvin, who's guided the Panthers to eight Marmonte League titles and a CIF-Southern Section Division III-AA championship in 1995, was thrilled to lock down No. 500.

"I got a little emotional right after the game," Parvin said. "It's pretty special because I've lived in the area for so long."

Richard Intlekofer, the school's softball coach from 1977 through 1986 and a counselor, attended the Buena game.

"I went to the game because I knew how important it was to her," Intlekofer said, "but I think she'd be the first to tell you that it's not her record; it's the school's record."

Dobner agreed.

"It was the best feeling ever to know I was on the team when she won her 500th, but this is about much more than that," Dobner said.

"The starting lineup isn't the only one responsible for this record. She would have never gotten this record if it wasn't for our current bench players and all the previous teams' entire rosters."

Intlekofer is impressed with Parvin's longevity.

"I think 500 wins is huge because it represents continuity," Intlekofer said.

"You don't find too many high school coaches anymore that stick with it for so long. She's showed incredible dedication, and she has a great respect for everyone around her."

Parvin was inducted into the Ventura County Sports Hall of Fame in 1996 and had never received a technical foul in 839 games entering Wednesday's home contest against Agoura.

Parvin said she's as proud of that feat as she is of 500 wins.

"They're both unbelievable," Parvin said. "I think not getting any technical fouls comes from my parents. They were both a huge influence on me and taught me never to be degrading to anyone else."

Parvin, who graduated from Hueneme High in 1968, began teaching and coaching at NPHS in 1974.

"A lot has changed since I first started coaching here," Parvin said with a laugh. "When I started, we played on outdoor courts and it was six-on-six games.

"The level of play for girls' basketball has gotten a lot better, but the kids have definitely changed. The lack of respect you get from kids is tough to get by, but I still love it when someone drops by to thank me for my help when they were here."

Intlekofer believes so many people go out of their way to thank Parvin—she often gets stopped at the bank, grocery stores and restaurants—because she's more of a teacher than a coach.

"I've always believed she teaches the right things," Intlekofer said. "She doesn't just teach the athlete; she teaches the child."

Parvin said she has no plans to hang up her whistle any time soon, but did laugh at the possibility of 600 wins.

"The kids keep me coming back, and every time I walk into the gym I still get excited," Parvin said. "I love the area, and I've always said N.P.H.S. stands for Nice People High School."

At this pace, it may not be long before the place is renamed Nori Parvin High School.