Athlete of the Week:
Danielle Parker (W. Basketball)
March 14, 2011
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Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell
Story By Rob McNeely
UD Athletics Media Relations Student Intern
NEWARK, Del. -- Sophomore forward Danielle Parker, who helped lead the Blue Hen women's basketball squad during its thrilling run to a berth in the Colonial Athletic Association championship game, is the National 5 & 10 Stores Inc. Best of the Blue Hens Athlete of the Week for Mar. 14.
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Parker, a 6-2 forward from Phoenix, Md. (Dulaney High School), led the No. 7 Blue Hens during the recent CAA Tournament at The Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, Md. as Delaware stormed past No. 10 seed Northeastern by a 74-66 score in the first round, upended No. 2 seed Old Dominion 72-55 in the quarterfinals, and downed No. 3 UNC Wilmington 62-47 in the semifinals before falling to top seed James Madison 67-61 in the title game Sunday.
Parker has a huge bond with her teammates, and she bonded even closer with them while experiencing their success in the tournament.
“Being on the team has given me my teammates, which have become my security blanket. I know they will be there no matter what” said Parker. “We were supportive and worked together and showed tremendous growth as the tournament continued.”
Delaware became just the second No. 7 seed in CAA Tournament history to advance all the way to the finals. The Hens, who improved to 20-13 with the post-season run, have now won 20 or more games for head coach Tina Martin 9 times in the last 12 seasons.
Despite the loss in the CAA final, the season should continue for the Blue Hens, who hope to gain one of 64 berths in the Women's NIT Tournament that begins later this week. The tournament field will be announced Monday night, March 14.
Delaware has competed in the tournament five previous times, including last season.
Parker, who averages 8.1 points and 7.8 rebounds per game for the season, was a perfect compliment to Blue Hen All-American Elena Delle Donne during the tournament run as both earned spots on the All-Tournament team.
Parker credits her father as her biggest influence during her basketball career.
“He has been there from the beginning, spending countless hours and money to mold me into the athlete and person I am today and I am greatly appreciative of all that he has done for me,” she said.
Parker converted 14 of 32 shots, scoring 37 points (9.2 per game), pulling 27 rebounds (6.7 per game), recording three blocks, and making five steals over the four-game swing. She scored nine points in each of the first two games and recorded her eighth double-double of the season in the championship game with 14 points and a team-high 10 rebounds.
After college, Parker wants to teach other children the lessons she has learned while playing the game she loves. She doesn’t just want to be successful financially but be a good role model for future generations.
“I just want to be successful. not necessarily with money, but I want to make a difference in people's lives, especially children," she said.
Parker earned the Best of the Blue Hens Award for the first time in her career and considers it a proud moment for her and her family.
Past Winners:
2010-11 Season
Mar. 14 - Danielle Parker (Women's Basketball)
Mar. 7 - Vicky Caruso (Women's Indoor Track & Field)
Feb. 28 - Ryan Roberts (Men's Swimming)
Feb. 21 - Devon Saddler (Men's Basketball)
Feb. 14 - Eric Smith (Men's Lacrosse)
Feb. 7 - Elena Delle Donne (Women's Basketball)
Jan. 31 - Cortney Barry (Women's Swimming)
Jan. 24 - Vicky Caruso (Women's Indoor Track)
Jan. 17 - Ryan Roberts (Men's Swimming)
Jan. 10 - Zach Schiavo (Men's Swimming)
Jan. 3 - Jamelle Hagins (Men's Basketball)
Dec. 27 - Jaquetta May (Women's Basketball)
Dec. 20 - Chris Morales (Football)
Dec. 13 - Anthony Walters (Football)
Dec. 6 - Mark Schenauer (Football)
Nov. 29 - Jawan Carter (Men's Basketball)
Nov. 22 - Katie Dennehy (Volleyball)
Nov. 15 - Pat Devlin (Football)
Nov. 8 - Courtney Hewitt (Men's Soccer)
Nov. 1 - Brandon Paul (Men's Soccer)
Oct. 25 - Breanna Stemler (Women's Soccer)
Oct. 18 - Justin Martinson (Golf)
Oct. 11 - Melissa LeNoir (Field Hockey)
Oct. 4 - Samantha Carnall (Women's Tennis)
Sept. 27 - Robby Kay (Men's Tennis)
Sept. 20 - Steve Vincent (Men's Cross Country)
Sept. 13 - Andrew Pierce (Football)
Sept. 6 - Paige Erickson (Volleyball)
Aug. 30 - Alissa Alker (Volleyball)
2009-10 Season
May 30 - Cristine Marquez (Women's Outdoor Track & Field)
May 23 - Brian Rorick (Baseball)
May 16 - Vicky Caruso (Women's Outdoor Track & Field)
May 9 - Noah Fossner (Men's Lacrosse)
May 2 - Chase Renoll (Men's Outdoor Track)
Apr. 26 - Varsity Fours Crew (Rowing)
Apr. 19 - Justin Martinson (Golf)
Apr. 12 - Justin Martinson (Golf)
Apr. 5 - Carlos Alonso (Baseball)
Mar. 28 - Austin Longacre & Andre Vorobyov (Men's Tennis)
Mar. 21 - Michelle Grap (Softball)
Mar.14 - Elena Delle Donne (Women's Basketball)
Mar. 7 - Cristine Marquez (Women's Indoor Track)
Feb. 28 - Hans Gillan (Men's Swimming)
Feb. 21 - Curtis Dickson (Men's Lacrosse)
Feb. 14 - Erika Bilenki (Women's Diving)
Feb. 7 - Cristine Marquez (Women's Indoor Track)
Jan. 31 - Hannah Facchine (Women's Swimming)
Jan. 24 - Elena Delle Donne (Women's Basketball)
Jan. 17 - Hans Gillan - Men's Swimming
Jan. 10 - Vicky Caruso - Women's Indoor Track & Field
Jan. 3 - Alphonso Dawson (Men's Basketball)
Dec. 28 - Elena Delle Donne (Women's Basketball)
Dec. 21 - Kelvin McNeil (Men's Basketball)
Dec. 14 - Elena Delle Donne (Women's Basketball)
Dec. 7 - Grady Carter (Men's Swimming)
Nov. 30 - Lauren Carra (Women's Basketball)
Nov. 23 - Pat Devlin (Football)
Nov. 16 - Michelle LaLonde (Volleyball)
Nov. 9 - Noelle Diana (Field Hockey)
Nov. 2 - Chris Bourke (Men's Cross Country)
Oct. 25 - Elena Berry (Women's Tennis)
Oct. 18 - Jessie Ermak (Women's Cross Country)
Oct. 11 - Kevin McLister (Golf)
Oct. 4 - Darren Christie (Men's Soccer)
Sept. 28 - Stephanie Barry (Volleyball)
Sept. 21 - Chris Bourke (Men's Cross Country)
Sept. 14 - Charles Graves (Football)
Sept. 7 - Casey Howard (Field Hockey)
2008-09 Season
June 1 - Kelli McDonald (Women's Track & Field)
May 25 - Bill Merkler (Baseball)
May 18 - Ryan Cuneo (Baseball)
May 11 - Novice Fours Crew (Women's Rowing)
May 4 - Jessica Cerveny (Women's Lacrosse)
Apr. 26 - John Hally (Men's Track & Field)
Apr. 19 - Cristine Marquez (Women's Track & Field)
Apr. 12 - Curtis Dickson (Men's Lacrosse)
Apr. 5 - Stephanie Allen (Women's Lacrosse)
Mar. 29 - Michelle Grap (Softball)
Mar. 22 - Justin Martinson (Golf)
Mar. 15 - Ryan Reed (Baseball)
Mar. 8 - Amanda Marshall (Women's Indoor Track& Field)
Mar. 1 - Hans Gillan (Men's Swimming)
Feb. 22 - Karen Mandrachia (Women's Indoor Track & Field)
Feb. 15 - Curtis Dickson (Men's Lacrosse)
Feb. 8 - Marc Egerson (Men's Basketball)
Feb. 1 - John Viotto (Men's Indoor Track & Field)
Jan. 25 - Matt Abbruzzese (Men's Swimming & Diving)
Jan. 19 - Christina Antonopoulos (Women's Indoor Track & Field)
Jan. 12 - Hans Gillan (Men's Swimming)
Jan. 5 - Marc Egerson (Men's Basketball)
Dec. 29 - Tesia Harris (Women's Basketball)
Dec. 21 - D.J. Boney (Men's Basketball)
Dec. 14 - Jawan Carter (Men's Basketball)
Dec. 7 - Maryann Walker (Women's Swimming)
Nov. 30 - Jess Chason (Volleyball)
Nov. 23 - Christina Antonopoulos (Women's Cross Country)
Nov. 16 - Tesia Harris (Women's Basketball)
Nov. 9 - Katie Dennehy (Volleyball)
Nov. 2 - Andy Streilein (Men's Soccer)
Oct. 25 - Junior Jabbie (Football)
Oct. 18 - Caitlyn Germain (Women's Soccer)
Oct. 11 - Grady Carter (Men's Swimming)
Oct. 5 - Colin Smith (Golf)
Sept. 29 - Stephanie Barry (Volleyball)
Sept. 22 - Andre Vorobyov (Men's Tennis)
Sept. 15 - Colin Smith (Golf)
Sept. 8 - Amanda Campbell (Women's Tennis)
Sept. 1 - Anthony Walters (Football)
2007-08 Season
May 19 - Asha Quant (Women's Outdoor Track)
May 12 - Novice Eights (Women's Rowing)
May 5 - David Slovak (Baseball)
Apr. 28 - Joe Flacco (Football)
Apr. 21 - Chase Renoll (Men's Outdoor Track & Field)
Apr. 14 - Tommy Ellison (Golf)
Apr. 7 - Susan Pollack (Women's Tennis)
Mar. 31 - Emily Schaknowski (Women's Lacrosse)
Mar. 24 - Asha Quant (Women's Outdoor Track & Field)
Mar. 16 - Anne Marie Pagano (Softball)
Mar. 9 - Cristine Marquez (Women's Indoor Track & Field)
Mar. 2 - Andrew Zinn (Men's Swimming & Diving)
Feb. 25 - Ryan Cuneo (Baseball)
Feb. 18 - Asha Quant (Women's Indoor Track & Field)
Feb. 11 - Vincent Giordano (Men's Lacrosse)
Feb. 4 - Andrew Zinn (Men's Swimming & Diving)
Jan. 28 - John Viotto (Men's Indoor Track & Field)
Jan. 21 - Kelli McDonald (Women's Indoor Track & Field)
Jan. 14 - Herb Courtney (Men's Basketball)
Jan. 7 - Andrew Zinn (Men's Swimming & Diving)
Dec. 31 - Kyle DeHaven (Women's Basketball)
Dec. 24 - Alphonso Dawson (Men's Basketball)
Dec. 16 - Mark Duncan (Football)
Dec. 9 - Joe Flacco (Football)
Dec. 2 - Maryann Walker (Women's Swimming)
Nov. 26 - Omar Cuff (Football)
Nov. 19 - Megan Welch (Volleyball)
Nov. 12 - Kyle DeHaven (Women's Basketball)
Nov. 5 - Sobhan Tadjalli (Men's Soccer)
Oct. 29 - Christina Antonopoulos (Women's Cross Country)
Oct. 22 - Emily Sammis (Women's Soccer)
Oct. 15 - Omar Cuff (Football)
Oct. 8 - Kyle Schmid (Men's Cross Country)
Oct. 1 - Colleen Walsh (Volleyball)
Sept. 23 - Nolan Greenberg (Men's Tennis)
Sept. 16 - Joe Flacco (Football)
Sept. 9 - Jason Bernstein (Golf)
Sept. 2 - Casey Howard (Field Hockey)
Aug. 26 - Stephanie Barry (Volleyball)
2006-07 Season
Jan. 30 - Asha Quant (Women's Indoor Track)
Feb. 4 - Kyle DeHaven (Women's Basketball)
Feb. 11 - Sam McMahon (Men's Basketball)
Feb. 18 - Maryann Walker (Women's Swimming)
Feb. 25 - Adam Zuder-Havens (Men's Lacrosse)
Mar. 2 - Cristine Marquez (Women's Indoor Track)
Mar. 12 - Debbie Sloan (Women's Lacrosse)
Mar. 19 - Tyresa Smith (Women's Basketball)
Mar. 26 - Joe McLister (Golf)
Apr. 2 - Carolynn Sloat (Softball)
Apr. 9 - Bryan Hagerich (Baseball)
Apr. 16 - Alexi Capsouras (Women's Outdoor Track)
Apr. 23 - Jared Wasser (Men's Outdoor Track)
Apr. 30 - Alex Smith (Men's Lacrosse)
May 7 - David Slovak (Baseball)
May 14 - Tommy Scherr (Men's Lacrosse)
May 21 - Dan Deckelbaum (Men's Lacrosse)
May 28 - Mike McGuire (Baseball)
