Heather Parrish (Denkhaus) (2023) - Sports Wall of Fame

Sports Wall of Fame

Heather Parrish (Denkhaus)

Class
Induction

2023
Sport(s)

Pandas Rugby

Pandas Rugby Flanker (1999-2003)
Four-time Canada West Champion (1999-2003)
Four-time CIAU Champion (1999-2003)
2001 Bakewell Trophy Winner
4-time Canada West All-Star (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002)
4-time CIAU All-Canadian (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002)
2-time Canada West Player of the Year (1999, 2000)
2-time CIAU Player of the Year (1999, 2000)
Pandas Rugby Co-Captain (1999-2003)
2000 Pandas Rugby Team MVP
4-time Academic All-Canadian (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002)

Few University of Alberta student-athletes have ever accomplished as much as Heather Parrish (Denkhaus), ‘99 BSc, ‘03 BEd, ‘03 MEd, did during her time with Pandas Rugby.

A tremendous athlete, leader, role model and student, Parrish checked literally every box as one of the faces of the newest Pandas program;

Canada West and national champion? Heather won each four times. Player of the Year awards? She captured the Canada West and CIAU awards twice each. Academic All-Canadian? Yup, four of those honours as well. If you can name it, she won it and more.

Led by Parrish, 2022 SWOF inductee and fellow athlete Anna Wray (Schnell), and head coach and 2014 SWOF inductee Helen Wright, the early Pandas were invincible. From the team’s inception in 1999 till Parrish’s graduation in 2003, the Pandas lost just once, winning 29 games and four consecutive Canada West and CIAU championships.

The Pandas dominance was so complete, they didn’t lose a single match until Parrish’s final season, a 5-0 loss in round robin play at the 2002 CIAU Championship. Despite the loss, they rebounded with consecutive wins in the semifinal and final to capture their fourth-straight national title, highlighted by a 38-6 win over Western.

Displaying finesse, speed and strength at the flanker position, Parrish’s impact was immediate. She was named both the conference and national player of the year in both 1999 and 2000.

The late 90’s and early ‘00s were the golden age of successful Pandas programs, with each the Basketball, Hockey, Soccer and Volleyball teams adding banner after banner at the conference and national level. And despite this, the Pandas Rugby team were never overshadowed. There may be no better proof than Parrish winning the 2001 Bakewell Trophy as the UofA’s Female Athlete of the Year, becoming the first student-athlete from Rugby to win the award. Parrish was the anchor for a Pandas team that went a perfect 8-0 in 2000, outscoring their opponents by a staggering 280-21 margin.

The 1999-2003 Pandas were inducted into the Sports Wall of Fame as a dynasty team in 2018.

“Her leadership was outstanding both on the field and off. She was instrumental in helping any of her teammates that needed academic assistance or advice. Education was a very important fiber of Heather’s tapestry,” said Wright, who won a national title in all five of her seasons as head coach of the Pandas.

“Her natural ability to lead by her own example was driven by her own tireless work ethic and positive outlook on herself, her team, and the world around her. She was an outstanding athlete in addition to being a supportive and forceful leader. ”

A co-captain in each of her four seasons, Parrish truly epitomized being a Panda. A student-athlete in every sense of the word.

And while it’s been two decades since her varsity career ended, Parrish’s impact in the rugby community never ceased; she has taught and coached rugby at Bev Facey, Jasper Place, and M.E. Lazerte high schools in the Edmonton area.

“Heather reflects all the characteristics that promote the University of Alberta as an excellent environment to not only gain a quality education but excel in sport and develop a keen connection to the community as a leader,” concluded Wright.

Heather Parrish (Denkhaus) is the third individual, and second student-athlete from the Pandas Rugby program to be inducted into the University of Alberta’s Sports Hall of Fame.

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