Catherine E. Parson

Catherine “Cathy” Parson was inducted into the College of Applied Human Sciences Hall of Fame in the fall of 2025. She was previously inducted into the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences Hall of Fame in 2021.

Parson earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education from West Virginia University in 1984 and a master’s degree in adult education and training from the University of Phoenix in 2010. She has also pursued doctoral studies in education at Morgan State University.

At WVU, Parson made history as the first woman to earn an athletic scholarship. From 1979 to 1983, she set numerous school records and completed her career as WVU women’s basketball’s all-time leading scorer with 2,128 points. She was a three-time team MVP, a three-time All-East selection, and earned AIAW All-America honors in 1982 and 1983. She became the first woman to have her jersey retired at WVU and, in 1996, was the first woman inducted into the WVU Sports Hall of Fame.

Following her playing career, Parson was one of 20 players invited to try out for the Harlem Globetrotters and competed with the Virginia Wave of the Women’s American Basketball Association. She began her coaching career as an assistant at Providence College (1985–88) before serving as head coach at Christopher Newport University, where she compiled a 183–83 record, earned two Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year awards, and led six NCAA Tournament appearances.

In 1998, she served as interim head coach of the WNBA’s Washington Mystics during their inaugural season. She later led programs at Howard University (2000–08), where she guided the Lady Bison to two MEAC regular season titles and a tournament championship, earning MEAC Coach of the Year honors twice. Additional collegiate coaching roles included the University of Richmond, Frostburg State University, Stratford University, and Central State University.