Cabrini College athletics recently added a new member to their staff, tennis coach Stephen Parker. Parker grew up in Wisconsin and started his college career at the College of Wooster. He was not a stranger to being part of a team; he played soccer at the Division III level. After getting injured, he transferred to the University of Delaware and obtained a degree in English. Parker has spent many years teaching beginning tennis to a variety of age groups, as well as holding private lessons and clinics. He is a teaching professional who is known throughout the tennis community. Parker was hired by former pro player Fred Perrin to teach professionally at Mill Creek Tennis Club. Something very unique about Coach Parker is that this is the first team he has ever coached. “I was excited and looking for a place to go where I could be a part of something.”
Parker’s goal for this season is to make the women’s tennis team play as a unit. “I really want these girls to enjoy what they’re doing. I want them to remember why they liked tennis in the first place.” The goal for all teams at the DIII competitive level is to add another championship under their belt, but for Parker, his objective for the season is a little different. “Winning is great, but it is not the most important thing. It’s important for this team to play hard, bring what they’ve got, and just have fun.”
For Parker, finding out that he would be named a coach at Cabrini was an exciting experience; he would be able to do his two favorite things: play tennis and teach students about the game that he loves. “To me, this isn’t really a job. I really enjoy coming here. This whole situation is great. I get a chance to teach, and to be, I hope, some sort of role model. I get a chance to be passionate about a sport that I love and teach it to others.”
Parker is more than just a tennis coach. He is an individual who is passionate about life and living it to the fullest. Parker teaches his team the importance of living in the moment. As humans, it is normal for us to be so focused on the end result of life that we might miss what is going on right before our very eyes. Parker said that he sat down with his team and explained this mentality to them. “You blink and this season is going to be over. You won’t get a chance to get it back so start playing now. What are you waiting for?” The women are currently 3-0, while hoping to continue the success for their season within the next few weeks.
