Mary Parker (affectionately nicknamed "MP-4") was a four-year starter and letter winner for both the volleyball and basketball teams. She helped lead the volleyball team to the 2010 Midwest Conference Tournament Title and a berth in the NCAA tournament. She garnered First Team All-Midwest Conference honors in 2008 and 2009 and was named second team all league in 2010.
"In volleyball, many excellent players are specialists, playing only in the front row (offense/blocking) or back row (defense), but because of her skill, leadership, and competitive spirit, MP was a player who needed to be on the court at all times, a so-called six-rotation player," remembers former coach Ken Yasukawa.
Parker did not play volleyball in her first year at Beloit College but was able to earn four letters in the sport because she was student teaching during the 2010 season. That year, her team qualified for the NCAA tournament by defeating arch-rival St. Norbert College in the Midwest Conference Tournament's final match.
Parker's volleyball skills earned her status in the Beloit College record book. She set top five marks in sets and matches for kills and digs. She concluded her career third all-time with 1,954 digs.
Parker was equally impressive each season when she transitioned to the basketball floor. She was named First Team All-Conference in 2008-09 and 2009-10. She ranks in the top five for game and season records for steals and rebounds. Her career top five marks include assists (408), steals (265), and free throws (297).
Parker's extraordinary talents, achievements, and commitment to academics earned her two of the college's most coveted awards. In 2009, she earned the Donald "Red" Janssen Award, which honors Beloit's top female athlete through the junior year. In 2010, Parker was honored with the Ruth Peterson Award for being Beloit's top senior female student-athlete.
