Five Questions with Kate T. Parker
10/21/2020 2:02:00 PM | Women's Soccer
The Deacon women's soccer alum is now a bestselling author.
Former Wake Forest women's soccer player Kate T. Parker is the New York Times Bestselling author of the book "Strong is the New Pretty." Her newest offering, "Play Like a Girl: Life Lessons from the Soccer Field," was released last month.
Parker joined Deacon Sports Xtra for an extended interview for a five questions feature shortly after her newest book was released.
How did actress Drew Barrymore become such a Kate Parker fan?
Parker: "She somehow got a copy of 'Strong is the new Pretty,' and became a fan, which is ridiculous and amazing. I've been a fan of Drew's since E.T. We recorded a show, and I was interviewed by her and Cameron Diaz.
"She had me and Alice (youngest daughter) at her house to cook cupcakes with her daughter. It was so surreal. She couldn't be nicer. Everything you would think about her is true. She's such a lovely, lovely person. Her whole setup was beautiful and she's a great cook. I was in shock the whole time. I feel like I blacked out during the whole experience."
What do you want readers to get from your newest book?
Parker: "I want girls to understand that the qualities that make you a really good soccer player, like using your voice and being loud and almost being a show-off — showing your skill and being aggressive, getting the ball when you need it and being a leader. All those things that make you a successful soccer player also help you succeed in life. I want girls to not lose those qualities. I don't want them softened or to change. I don't want them to not shine when they're meant to shine.
"What helped me not lose those qualities was soccer. I hope girls don't lose those strengths. They are superpowers. I want them to use them and not lose them. But I want girls who don't play soccer to find a passion that allows them to be themselves. I don't want them to lose the qualities that make them special, no matter what they are."
On her freshman season at Wake Forest, which was the inaugural season for the women's soccer program.
Parker: "It was a hard transition, but I think it's a hard transition for everybody, especially a fall sport. When you come in for your freshman year, you're adjusting to everything. You're getting adjusted to the academics, but also fighting for playing time. To put in all that work and then not play? That would be really hard. That bond that is formed where you're bleeding, have broken bones, are in study hall and class together — it forms a bond even stronger than just friendship. You're at your worst and your best with these girls."
How did the program progress in those early seasons?
Parker: "We competed. We made the NCAA Tournament in my junior year. We competed quickly. Every year we would add a stronger class, and those girls would contribute pretty quickly. Wake is an easy school to recruit to. It's such a great school. The facilities were amazing and the education is incredible. All those things make it easy to bring in players who want to contribute and want to be in the ACC playing for a top team. It was an interesting progression."
How did you go from not having any of your photos sell at a gallery event to becoming a New York Times Bestselling author?
Parker: "It was the lessons I learned from soccer, to not dwell on one loss or one failure. You just have to keep going. I have a bad temper. I got really mad. This was so dumb that nobody bought any pictures.
"I figured if I worked harder, something good would happen. I thought there was something important with the images. Every day I would send out a paragraph about the images with the photos, but nobody responded.
"It started falling like dominoes. Two weeks later, a publisher got in touch with me, followed by a literary agent a week later. It all started falling into place, which was kind of overwhelming. If I'd given up on the work, then literally nothing would have happened. If you believe in yourself or believe in something, then do not give up on it. It's just finding the right person. One person is not the end-all and be-all."
