NewsAthleticsCross Country
Parish named head cross country coach
Apr 4, 2008 12:00 AM
By Tannika King - Faculty
Darlington is pleased to announce that Alan Parish, graphic design instructor, has been named head cross country coach for the 2008-09 school year. He will replace Ken Wempe, who will coach the Middle School team.
“Darlington’s cross country program has competed at the state level for many years, and we are thrilled about Coach Parish taking the helm of one our most prolific athletic teams,” said Bob Stinchcomb, incoming athletic director. “The Darlington community can look forward to the cross country teams’ continued success under his leadership.”
Parish holds a bachelor’s degree in graphic design from Samford University. During his college running career, he earned a First Team All-Conference TAAC Track and Field nod and was named to the Trans-America Athletic Conference All-Academic Team. He was deemed Most Valuable Runner for both the varsity track and cross country teams, and is the current record holder for the 1,500 and 3,000 meters at Samford. He also served on the university’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
“I have coached many sports, but cross country is easily my favorite because anybody can be great if he or she works hard enough,” Parish said. “I am thrilled to coach a sport with such tradition at Darlington. Over the last 15 years, cross country has won more state championships than any other athletic team. I am eager to see us get back to that level.”
Parish has five years of coaching experience. Prior to his arrival at Darlington in August 2005, he coached boys and girls basketball and swimming on a volunteer basis at American International School in Lusaka, Zambia. For the last three years, he has led the Middle School cross country team to win the Rome-Area Championship, finishing out this season with a three-year combined record of 237-17.
“As we move back down to the GHSA single ‘A’ classification this fall, we will join a new region, and it is a definite goal for both the girls and boys teams to bring home region championships,” Parish said. “I have very high expectations for the team, and I hope to bring a great deal of excitement and passion to the program.”
Parish will also continue to coach varsity swimming and diving.
“Darlington’s cross country program has competed at the state level for many years, and we are thrilled about Coach Parish taking the helm of one our most prolific athletic teams,” said Bob Stinchcomb, incoming athletic director. “The Darlington community can look forward to the cross country teams’ continued success under his leadership.”
Parish holds a bachelor’s degree in graphic design from Samford University. During his college running career, he earned a First Team All-Conference TAAC Track and Field nod and was named to the Trans-America Athletic Conference All-Academic Team. He was deemed Most Valuable Runner for both the varsity track and cross country teams, and is the current record holder for the 1,500 and 3,000 meters at Samford. He also served on the university’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
“I have coached many sports, but cross country is easily my favorite because anybody can be great if he or she works hard enough,” Parish said. “I am thrilled to coach a sport with such tradition at Darlington. Over the last 15 years, cross country has won more state championships than any other athletic team. I am eager to see us get back to that level.”
Parish has five years of coaching experience. Prior to his arrival at Darlington in August 2005, he coached boys and girls basketball and swimming on a volunteer basis at American International School in Lusaka, Zambia. For the last three years, he has led the Middle School cross country team to win the Rome-Area Championship, finishing out this season with a three-year combined record of 237-17.
“As we move back down to the GHSA single ‘A’ classification this fall, we will join a new region, and it is a definite goal for both the girls and boys teams to bring home region championships,” Parish said. “I have very high expectations for the team, and I hope to bring a great deal of excitement and passion to the program.”
Parish will also continue to coach varsity swimming and diving.
