Fayetteville, N.C. - The USA South Athletic Conference has released its 2016 Hall of Fame Class, which includes four former student-athletes, one former coach, and one administrator. The Battling Bishops are pleased to announce that former women's soccer standout Trish Parker has been selected as Wesleyan's second female inductee. She becomes the seventh representative from N.C. Wesleyan to garner induction, joining fellow Bishops Don Scalf (2010), Mike Fox (2010), Roger Taylor (2011), Moe Bauer (2012), Greg Clark (2013), and Julie Duerler (2015).

Parker was a four-time All-Conference and All-Region performer in women's soccer, leading her Bishops to a 51-16-7 record during her four-year career as a starting defender.  Additionally, she twice earned All-American accolades ('93, '94) and North Carolina Wesleyan Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year honors ('94, '95).

Parker set herself apart from other athletes in 1994 when she was presented with the highest individual honor one can achieve in Division III women's soccer:  National Player of the Year. An award that is usually presented to a dynamic forward or midfielder, Parker's selection provided clear evidence of her talent on defense.  That same talent was instrumental in the '94 Battling Bishops' run to the NCAA Final Four. Currently, she remains the only female athlete in Battling Bishop history to receive National Player of the Year honors in any sport.

A native of Marietta, Ga. and 1995 Wesleyan graduate, Parker received another significant tribute at conclusion of her career when her #13 jersey was retired. She is a 2007 NCWC Athletics Hall of Fame inductee and member of both the USA South's Silver and 50-Year Anniversary teams.

Joining her in the 2016 USA South Hall of Fame class are Christopher Newport's Steve Artis (basketball), Greensboro's Mike Grimsley (soccer), Methodist's Ryan Jenkins (golf), Greensboro's Jean Lojko (head coach), and long-time USA South Commissioner Rita Wiggs (administrator).

To view complete bios on each inductee, please visit www.usasouth.net.