Eastern Michigan Athletics
Parks to Conclude Illustrious Coaching Career Following 2025-26 Season
8/7/2025 2:00:00 PM | Men's XC, Women's XC, Men's Track & Field, Women's Track & Field
Legendary Cross Country and Track & Field Coach to Retire After 20 Seasons with EMU
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Eastern Michigan University announced today, Aug. 7, that the 2025-26 academic year will be the final full-time coaching campaign for Women's Cross Country Head Coach and Women's Track & Field Associate Head Coach Sue Parks, who will officially retire following the 2026 outdoor track & field season.
"It has been an incredible journey and I'm thankful for all of the student-athletes that I've had the privilege to coach," said Parks. "Eastern Michigan Athletics hired me 19 years ago, and I was not about to let them down. Their belief in me motivated and challenged me to work my hardest, not only to bring championships back to Ypsilanti but also to build a program the right way. I'm incredibly proud of the MAC titles and honors that we have won, but the biggest reward has been the growth of the student-athletes who have graduated from the program and are on their way to greatness in their own lives. Thank you to the student-athletes for placing your trust in me and for working so hard to reach your full potential. We have some of the kindest, generous, and loyal alumni in the entire country!"
"Eastern Michigan Cross Country/Track & Field has been my life, my family, and my purpose," Parks continued. "I didn't reach all of the goals that I had for myself and the program, but I know that I gave it my all. No one does this alone and I'm very grateful for the assistant coaches (past and present), support staff, and administrators who have made this job such a great experience for so many years. My family has been so supportive of my career, and I can't thank them enough for always being there for me. EMU Cross Country/Track & Field is in great hands with the current staff in place, and I plan to stay involved and do whatever I can to help the program continue to be successful in the years to come. I'm excited about the upcoming year, and I'm looking forward to the future of EMU Athletics!"
Parks, a cornerstone of the EMU track and cross country programs, will be honored throughout the upcoming year, with additional celebration details to be announced at a later date.
"Coach Parks has built a legacy of excellence at Eastern Michigan that will resonate for generations," said EMU Vice President/Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee. "Her impact has extended far beyond championships; she has shaped lives and carried forward a proud family tradition with remarkable distinction."
The 2025-26 season will mark Parks' 20th year with Eastern Michigan, a tenure defined by championship success, athlete development, and unwavering dedication to the Green and White. Hired in 2006 as the Head Women's Track & Field/Cross Country Coach, she became the Director of Cross Country/Track & Field in October 2020 when the University combined its men's and women's track & field and cross country programs under a single coaching and support staff. Most recently, she transitioned on July 1, 2024, to the role of Associate Head Coach for Women's Track & Field while retaining her longtime position as Head Coach of Women's Cross Country.
Under her guidance, EMU's track & field and cross country teams have achieved remarkable feats, including multiple league championships and individual titles. All told, Parks has been named the MAC's Coach of the Year 16 times (Indoor Women's Track & Field - 2011, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2023, 2024; Women's Cross Country - 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019; Indoor Men's Track & Field - 2021, 2022, 2023; Outdoor Track & Field Women's - 2016; and Men's Cross Country - 2020) while leading 18 EMU teams to conference titles (MXC - 2020, 2021; WXC - 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019; MITF - 2021, 2022, 2023; WITF - 2011, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2023, 2024, and WOTF - 2016). Parks' coaching prowess has also seen her athletes excel individually with numerous All-American honors.
Parks' dedication to her athletes extends beyond the track, as she is known for her mentorship and guidance. Her leadership has not only shaped successful athletes but also contributed to the development of a winning culture within the program.
Before her tenure at EMU, Parks enjoyed success at Ball State University, where she won eight MAC titles (WITF - 1996, 1998, 2001; WOTF - 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001; WXC - 2003) and eight MAC Coach of the Year accolades. She has also served in various leadership roles at the national level, advocating for the interests of NCAA cross country.
All told, Parks has collected 26 MAC titles and 24 Coach of the Year honors.
Prior to her time in the MAC, Parks had coaching stops at the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and the University of Arizona.
Among the highlights of her coaching career, Parks' 2016 women's cross country team finished ninth in the NCAA Cross Country Championship and in 2017, Alsu Bogdanova finished second in the 5000 in the NCAA Outdoor Championship.
The Parks family is synonymous with winning as her father, Bob Parks, is the most decorated coach in Eastern Michigan Athletics history. Bob's teams captured 31 MAC titles in cross country and track & field, and he was named the league's Coach of the Year 22 times. His teams won six NAIA and NCAA team titles, and he was named NCAA National Coach of the Year once and Regional Coach of the Year nine times.
An EMU alumna, Parks' roots in the Ypsilanti area run deep. Her outstanding career as both an athlete and a coach has left an indelible mark on EMU athletics, earning her a place of honor in the E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame.
"It has been an incredible journey and I'm thankful for all of the student-athletes that I've had the privilege to coach," said Parks. "Eastern Michigan Athletics hired me 19 years ago, and I was not about to let them down. Their belief in me motivated and challenged me to work my hardest, not only to bring championships back to Ypsilanti but also to build a program the right way. I'm incredibly proud of the MAC titles and honors that we have won, but the biggest reward has been the growth of the student-athletes who have graduated from the program and are on their way to greatness in their own lives. Thank you to the student-athletes for placing your trust in me and for working so hard to reach your full potential. We have some of the kindest, generous, and loyal alumni in the entire country!"
"Eastern Michigan Cross Country/Track & Field has been my life, my family, and my purpose," Parks continued. "I didn't reach all of the goals that I had for myself and the program, but I know that I gave it my all. No one does this alone and I'm very grateful for the assistant coaches (past and present), support staff, and administrators who have made this job such a great experience for so many years. My family has been so supportive of my career, and I can't thank them enough for always being there for me. EMU Cross Country/Track & Field is in great hands with the current staff in place, and I plan to stay involved and do whatever I can to help the program continue to be successful in the years to come. I'm excited about the upcoming year, and I'm looking forward to the future of EMU Athletics!"
Parks, a cornerstone of the EMU track and cross country programs, will be honored throughout the upcoming year, with additional celebration details to be announced at a later date.
"Coach Parks has built a legacy of excellence at Eastern Michigan that will resonate for generations," said EMU Vice President/Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee. "Her impact has extended far beyond championships; she has shaped lives and carried forward a proud family tradition with remarkable distinction."
The 2025-26 season will mark Parks' 20th year with Eastern Michigan, a tenure defined by championship success, athlete development, and unwavering dedication to the Green and White. Hired in 2006 as the Head Women's Track & Field/Cross Country Coach, she became the Director of Cross Country/Track & Field in October 2020 when the University combined its men's and women's track & field and cross country programs under a single coaching and support staff. Most recently, she transitioned on July 1, 2024, to the role of Associate Head Coach for Women's Track & Field while retaining her longtime position as Head Coach of Women's Cross Country.
Under her guidance, EMU's track & field and cross country teams have achieved remarkable feats, including multiple league championships and individual titles. All told, Parks has been named the MAC's Coach of the Year 16 times (Indoor Women's Track & Field - 2011, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2023, 2024; Women's Cross Country - 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019; Indoor Men's Track & Field - 2021, 2022, 2023; Outdoor Track & Field Women's - 2016; and Men's Cross Country - 2020) while leading 18 EMU teams to conference titles (MXC - 2020, 2021; WXC - 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019; MITF - 2021, 2022, 2023; WITF - 2011, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2023, 2024, and WOTF - 2016). Parks' coaching prowess has also seen her athletes excel individually with numerous All-American honors.
Parks' dedication to her athletes extends beyond the track, as she is known for her mentorship and guidance. Her leadership has not only shaped successful athletes but also contributed to the development of a winning culture within the program.
Before her tenure at EMU, Parks enjoyed success at Ball State University, where she won eight MAC titles (WITF - 1996, 1998, 2001; WOTF - 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001; WXC - 2003) and eight MAC Coach of the Year accolades. She has also served in various leadership roles at the national level, advocating for the interests of NCAA cross country.
All told, Parks has collected 26 MAC titles and 24 Coach of the Year honors.
Prior to her time in the MAC, Parks had coaching stops at the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and the University of Arizona.
Among the highlights of her coaching career, Parks' 2016 women's cross country team finished ninth in the NCAA Cross Country Championship and in 2017, Alsu Bogdanova finished second in the 5000 in the NCAA Outdoor Championship.
The Parks family is synonymous with winning as her father, Bob Parks, is the most decorated coach in Eastern Michigan Athletics history. Bob's teams captured 31 MAC titles in cross country and track & field, and he was named the league's Coach of the Year 22 times. His teams won six NAIA and NCAA team titles, and he was named NCAA National Coach of the Year once and Regional Coach of the Year nine times.
An EMU alumna, Parks' roots in the Ypsilanti area run deep. Her outstanding career as both an athlete and a coach has left an indelible mark on EMU athletics, earning her a place of honor in the E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame.
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