I am saddened to share that legendary Ohio Wesleyan coach and physical education faculty member Mary Parker has died at age 82 following a brave battle with cancer. Known affectionately as “Parkie” to her many OWU friends, Mary died peacefully June 8 at her home in Grayling, Michigan.
In recognition of her profound impact, Mary was inducted into the Ohio Wesleyan Athletics Hall of Fame in 1994. Here is the text that accompanied her well-deserved induction:
Mary Parker was a shaping force not only in Ohio Wesleyan sports but in women’s athletics on the national level. The Battling Bishops’ volleyball coach for 26 years, Parker was named North Coast Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 1986. Her 1992 squad reached the 20-win mark for the first time in school history and finished as runner-up in the league tournament, and her 1993 team went 26-9, including an 8-0 record in NCAC play. She also coached the Battling Bishop women’s lacrosse team from its inception in 1966 until 1991. Parker also coached basketball, field hockey, softball, soccer, and bowling at Ohio Wesleyan, and served as coordinator of women’s athletics from 1977-84. Parker co-founded the Midwest Lacrosse District of the United States Women’s Lacrosse Association in 1971, serving as the district’s secretary from 1973-77 and its vice president from 1977-84. Parker was co-founder and president of the short-lived Centennial Athletic Conference from 1982-84 and was active in the formation of the North Coast Athletic Conference to which Ohio Wesleyan now belongs.
No services are scheduled at this time, but additional information is available here. Please join me in sending our deepest sympathies to Mary’s family and friends, including her brother, John, and sister-in-law, Marta.
Rock