OU Mourns Loss of Tennis Coach Parker Ross

NORMAN — The University of Oklahoma Athletics Department is incredibly saddened to announce that volunteer assistant women's tennis coach Parker Ross has passed away after suffering a stroke last week in Colorado. He was 36.

Ross had joined the OU women's tennis staff in August. He had served as the head men's tennis coach at Butler from the 2012-13 through 2017-18 seasons, and was an assistant coach for the Bulldogs for two years before that.

"We send our most heartfelt condolences to Parker's family," said OU Vice President and Director of Athletics Joe Castiglione. "There is no way to prepare for a sudden loss like this one so our prayer is for healing and comfort at a most difficult time. We are also concerned for our women's tennis team, which has lost an important member. We will rally around (head coach) Audra Cohen, her staff and the student-athletes with staff members and resources to assist in the grieving process. I appreciate the love they have already shown for Parker and the way they have and will honor him going forward."

Cohen said Ross had a meaningful influence on team members despite the fact he was at OU for less than six months.

"Parker was like an angel to our program," began Cohen. "He shared his genuine positivity with everyone around him and we are so grateful for his profound impact on our Sooner family. Parker's life inspires us all to live our passion.

"Parker was an incredibly positive and genuine person," she continued. "He had a tattoo that his sister designed and he got it after his trip to Indonesia last year. It means 'little by little' and he got it because he had lost many things in his life. For Parker, OU was part of his journey, 'little by little,' to living his passion in a positive way."

Parker sticker

The Sooners honored Ross as they opened the season in Raleigh, N.C., this past weekend by wearing stickers that bore Ross' name and the words "sediket demi sediket," the Indonesian phrase that translates to "little by little." The phrase had prominence in Ross' life and coaching philosophy.

A memorial service for Ross is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 28 in Indianapolis. The OU women's tennis team, which will play at Purdue the following day, will be in attendance.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

OU Mourns Loss of Tennis Coach Parker Ross

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