Published in the August 25, 2017 edition
By DAN PAWLOWSKI
ERIN PARKER brings four years of playing experience at UMass with her to Melrose as she becomes the new MHS field hockey head coach.
MELROSE – There’s a new sheriff in town.
Erin Parker is the new head coach for the MHS field hockey team.
Parker brings to Melrose many years of experience as a player, and five years as a coach at Revere High School. As MHS field hockey looks to rebuild and replace 10 seniors from last year’s team, Parker will look to instill a winning culture on and off the field.
“I’m incredibly excited to join the Melrose community and share my passion for field hockey,” said Parker.
The best high school coaches usually have a plethora of playing experience to lean on as they teach the fundamentals to their young players. Parker has no shortage of said experience to share.
She played four years of field hockey at UMass Amherst, helping her team win the conference championship in her junior and senior years.
Some of her many accolades throughout her playing career at UMass include a spot on the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie team, All-Championship and All-Academic teams. In 2005 and 2007 she was named to the NFHCA DIvision I National Academic Squad. Her junior year, Parker was named the UMass Amherst Fall Scholar Athlete. Parker finished her career tied for eighth on the career assists list for UMass field hockey.
Parker was placed in Revere when she joined Teach for America after college. She has been teaching general and AP chemistry at Revere High for eight years. She is currently working toward her CAGS (administrative license).
In addition to her five years experience as a head coach at Revere, Parker has also coached the U18 team for Seacoast United in Hamilton, Mass.
She currently plays in a league called North East Premier that is a competitive co-ed league with retired college and international players.
Parker envisions a successful program at MHS, and knows that the high school and community offers the necessary resources to cultivate great players and people who will make Melrose proud.
“The booming middle school program, support from the administration and families and enthusiasm from the athletes is incredible. We have all the ingredients to build a competitive program and I can’t wait for the season to start.”
