BLACK HISTORY SPOTLIGHT HOME

This edition of the Black History spotlight takes us to the islands as we profile Hawai'i's Deitre Collins-Parker and Marco Johnson.
   

Deitre Collins-Parker, class of 1985, is arguably one of the greatest players ever to suit up for Hawai'i women's volleyball. The three-time All-America led the Rainbow Wahine to back-to-back national championships in 1982 and '83 and was named Volleyball Magazine Player of the Year in 1983. She also played basketball for the 'Bows in the 1984-85 season.

Her accolades read as a who's who of major awards. The Broderick Cup, awarded to a female athlete who also reflects leadership, academics and community service, was given to her after the 1983-84 season. The Honda Award, given then to the top player in the sport, was won by her for women's volleyball in 1982 and '83.

Collins-Parker didn't stop collecting honors once her time at UH came to an end. She represented the United States at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, Korea, was inducted into the AVCA Hall of Fame in 2008, named a NCAA Silver Anniversary Award recipient in 2009 and was named to the NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball 25th Anniversary Team.

Following her playing career, Collins-Parker spent 24 years as a Division I head coach with UNLV (1995-2003), Cornell (2004-08), and San Diego State (2009-19) with 333 career victories.
   

Marco Johnson was an ace kick returner for the Rainbow Warriors, earning first team All-WAC status at the position in 1986. His exploits didn't go unnoticed by the professional ranks as he was drafted in the 10th round in 1988 by the Houston Oilers (currently the Tennessee Titans).

After playing for four years in the NFL, Johnson took a different track...saving lives. He became a firefighter and a paramedic for the Los Angeles City Fire Department. After serving in those roles, Johnson felt compelled to help save lives in a different way, founding the Lancaster, California-based Antelope Valley Medical College in 1997. The school offered extensive classes and vocational training in various aspects of healthcare. Johnson and his wife Sandra then took the school one step further, establishing it as the University of Antelope Valley in 2009 after receiving accreditation from the US Department of Education. Johnson still serves as the school's president and CEO.

Johnson and his wife also founded the non-profit Marco & Sandra Johnson Foundation, aimed at providing charitable services including the promotion of education, scholarships, clothing and food provisions to the Antelope Valley region. Johnson also serves on the Board of Directors for the Hula Bowl.

From The Firehouse to the Schoolhouse - Black Enterprise
UAV Founders Continue to Give Back to Alma Mater - The AV Times