HAMPTON – Virginia Peninsula Community College named Mariah Parker its new
women’s basketball coach.
It is Parker’s first time heading a college program. She stated excitement about the quality of play in the area, which she thinks will make the Gators competitive from the start.
“I’ve seen Virginia basketball in my Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) coaching. There’s so much talent in this area,” Parker said.
Providing an opportunity for women to play beyond high school in their backyard also
attracted Parker.
“I had to do it,” said Parker. “I think there is so much interest.”
During an on-campus event on July 12, eight potential players showed up to learn about the college, meet the new coach, and enroll for the fall semester.
“She has great tenacity and drive,” said Chris Moore, the College’s athletics director and
men’s basketball coach. “I think she’s going to be an incredible hire for us. She’s somebody that can really, really relate to the young ladies.”
Parker’s priority is finalizing the 2023-24 schedule, then building the foundation for a
successful program by stressing teamwork and togetherness.
“The attitude of the program, that’s going to jump-start everything,” Parker stated. “If there is no unity, there’s no meshing.”
Most recently, Parker spent two seasons as the head girls’ varsity coach at Voyager
Academy High School in Durham, North Carolina. The team was ranked in the top 10 in the state (IA East) and hosted and won a state playoff game for the first time in school history. Parker had the conference player of the year and was named the conference’s coach of the year.
Parker started her coaching career as an assistant high school coach in 2019 and has been an AAU coach.
“With her coming off being the coach of the year of her conference and also winning her
league, she comes with a pedigree of winning,” Moore said. “I think VPCC’s going to be on the rise for the years to come in women’s basketball.”
Parker has a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from North Carolina State
University and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from UNC Greensboro.
She replaces Keith Stagg, who had been the coach since 2018. The Gators went 3-7 in
the 2022-23 season.
Learn more about VPCC athletics.
