Under Coach Parr’s patient and dedicated leadership, Flying Fleet teams have worked hard, had fun, and won often. Calhoun Parr came to Erskine in 2000 and immediately turned the women’s tennis program into a conference powerhouse. His overall career record is 387-176, and his career record in Carolinas conference play is an astonishing 250-50.
The Fleet won regular season conferences titles 13 times (2005-2009, 2011-2014, 2016, 2021, 2023, 2024) and conference tournament titles 13 times (2005-2014, 2016, 2021, 2024). In addition, the Flying Fleet have earned 14 bids to the NCAA Division II Regionals under Parr (2005-2009, 2011-2014, 2016, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025). Parr also coached the Fleet to their first postseason appearance and postseason win. As a coach Parr focuses on developing mature Christian character as well as improving each player’s tennis skills. Among the program’s many accomplishments, the fact that 18 of the past 19 teams have earned recognition by the ITA as All-Academic teams stands out.
Coach Parr has been named Conference Carolinas Coach of the Year 10 times. After the Fleet’s great ’04-’05 season of 22-2, he was designated NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Coach of the Year. In 2007 the USPTA named him South Carolina Coach of the Year, and in 2011 USTA-South Carolina also named him Coach of the Year. In 2019 Coach Parr was inducted into the “Flying Fleet” Athletic Hall of Fame. Parr is currently serving as chair for Conference Carolinas tennis coaches.
Former Erskine athletic director Chip Sherer said, “Erskine was blessed beyond measure when Calhoun became our Women’s Tennis Coach. He understood recruiting, hard work, and tennis, but never could I have imagined when we hired him that he would lead our women’ tennis program to such heights.”
A 1980 Clemson graduate, Coach Parr played on the men’s team at Clemson under the leadership of Coach Chuck Kriese. His senior year the Tigers won the ACC Championship and finished ranked 8th in the final NCAA poll.
Entering his 26th season coaching at Erskine, Parr, a native of Newberry, South Carolina, is married to Louise, his wife of 44 years who has recently retired as activity director at Presbyterian Home in Clinton, South Carolina. Louise is now driving the second vehicle during trips for the team. They are the parents of two daughters, Leona Parr Ransdell (married to Aaron, is the proud mother of their first grandson, Mason, and first granddaughter, Emery), and Elaine (married to Eric Kong, is the proud mother of their second granddaughter, Melissa Louise).
