Hall of Fame
Becoming an NCAA All-American in one sport is accomplishment enough, but Steve Parker achieved it in two different sports.
After graduating from Montgomery County’s Abington High School as the Most Valuable Senior Athlete in 1978, Steve Parker brought his running talents to Pitt-Johnstown and became one of the most highly-decorated cross country and track and field athletes in the school’s history.
Under Head Coach Larry Young, Mr. Parker earned track and field All-American honors in both 1980 and 1982 and cross country All-American honors in 1982.
Mr. Parker, a native of Jenkintown, Pa., became an All-American for the first time as a sophomore in 1980 in the 3000 Meter Steeplechase, before duplicating the feat in the same event two years later with a third-place finish at the NCAA Championships. That same year, Mr. Parker qualified for Nationals as a cross country runner and became an All-American in a second sport.
Medalist honors and top-two finishes became a regular occurrence for Mr. Parker. His time of 8:40 in the Steeplechase at the Colonial Relays in Virginia was an NCAA Division II record at the time. Mr. Parker also took top medalist honors in the Steeplechase at the University of Richmond Relays and the Princeton University, Rutgers University, and University of Maryland Invitationals. He also finished second at the prestigious Penn Relays in Philadelphia.
In addition, in the 5000 Meter event, Mr. Parker placed first at the Richmond Relays and second at the University of Pittsburgh Invitational. At the West Virginia University Invitational, he placed first in the 1500 Meter Run.
As a cross country standout, Mr. Parker garnered All-American honors in 1982. He took home top medalist honors at the West Virginia University Invitational and had a runner-up finish at the California State University (PA) Invitational.
After earning his Bachelor of Science Degree in natural sciences/geology at Pitt-Johnstown in 1982, Mr. Parker continued to compete in road and track races on sponsored teams, including Nike, Adidas, Asics and New Balance, for nearly two more decades. In 1984, Mr. Parker qualified for the Olympic Trials.
Mr. Parker and his wife of 23 years,fellow Pitt-Johnstown graduate, Sandi (Zima), reside in Phoenixville, Pa. For the last 26 years, Mr. Parker, who still enjoys participating in outdoor and church activities, has been employed as Operations Manager for Derr Flooring Company.
“I am both honored and grateful to be accepted into the Pitt-Johnstown Athletics Hall of Fame,” Mr. Parker said. “The dedication of Coach Young and my fellow teammates have played a huge part in whatever success I have achieved. I truly look back on my years at Pitt-Johnstown with fond memories.
