The Lincolnian

Issue date: 11/5/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Odessey Washington Ashley Parker proudly stands next to the Lincoln University marquee.

Parker at the Penn Relays

This has been a year full of awards, accomplishments and success for Ashley Parker.

Parker was recently featured in the October 8 issue of Sports Illustrated among the Faces of the Crowd section of the publication, exhibiting her standout performances on the track.

Parker is not only an outstanding athlete, but an intelligent scholar and is the first female from a Historically Black College or University to be named a finalist for the NCAA Woman of the Year award from a list of 30 semifinalists.

"We are very proud of Ashley," said Dr. Alfonso Scandrett, Jr., athletics director at Lincoln University. "It's nice to know that while Ashley excelled on the track that she did not lose focus of her academics."

Parker, who is an Academic Merit Scholar, was also inducted into the Who's Who Among Students at American Colleges and Universities for academic excellence and leadership. She was named the Philadelphia Inquirer's Academic All-Area Women's Track and Field Performer of the Year in May, as well.

"Despite the many trials and tribulations, tears and happiness, and wins and loses, there are five major qualities I have gained by being a student-athlete," Parker wrote in her personal statement for the NCAA Woman of the Year. "The five qualities that have helped mold me into the person I am today are character, patience, discipline, teamwork and time management. Punctuality, commitment, understanding, great focus, and wise decision-making have come from discipline, which has served as the foundation for my academic and athletic success."

Parker was forced to work hard for her accomplishments, and the road to success was not easy. As a transfer student from Delaware State University, and a Pleasantville, New Jersey native, Parker had no doubts about transferring to Lincoln University in the spring of 2006.

Although she was at Delaware State for two years on a track scholarship, she felt that she was not growing athletically.

"I no longer had the desire to run for Del State," said Parker, "The fun was gone in the sport."

Parker became aware of Lincoln University's track team through several of her high school friends who are on the track team.
The transfer was a sudden decision, made in a week's time.

Parker made a phone call to her high school coach, Alan Laws, who in turn called Coach Juan Edney and described Parker's situation to him.

"Coach [Cyrus] Jones and Coach Edney welcomed me with open arms," said Parker. She admits that the change was difficult athletically, especially since Delaware State is a Division I school and Lincoln University is Division III. Improving as a quarter-miler was also a challenge, but she took it all one day at a time.

"Although Lincoln is in a lower division, it has its advantages," said Parker. "I love it. The team has flavor, soul and pride."

The strong connection between the coaches and the athletes also helped Parker to adjust to the new school and team.

Academically, Parker really had no trouble adjusting. Already a scholar student, she knew the significance of not only receiving an education, but excelling at the task.

"It was meant for me to attend Lincoln," said Parker, who is majoring in Health Science.

After she graduates from Lincoln, Parker would still love to pursue her master's degree in Sports Management at Delaware State.

"She's a great leader for us and one of the best I've had in a long time," said Lincoln track and field coach Cyrus D. Jones. "Ashley is very deserving of this recognition. She's an outstanding person and I am really excited for her."

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools