Parker French

Classroom

A two-time member of the Academic All-Big 12 First Team, Parker French holds a 3.44 GPA and is majoring in finance. Projected to graduate this May, he is also a winner of the Academic Excellence and Spirit Award, was named to the Athletics Director’s Honor Roll last year and was nominated for CoSIDA Academic All-America honors in 2012-13. French has been named to the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll five times in his collegiate career.

Character

French had the opportunity to turn pro last year when he was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 19th round of the MLB Draft. Instead, he chose to return to Texas and earn his degree with the goal of leading the Longhorns to a National Championship after coming up one win shy of the championship series in 2014. French has established himself as a senior leader in the locker room and has taken on a mentor role with the younger players.

Community

In his four seasons at Texas, French has been involved in several charitable organizations. He has served as the baseball representative for the Student-athlete Advisory Committee the last three years and has volunteered at Longhorn Halloween, Marathon Kids, the UFCU FitFest Challenge, the Marbridge Foundation Banquet and Govalle Elementary’s Career Day. He also has spent time at local elementary schools talking to underprivileged youth about the importance of staying in school and focusing on academics. While playing summer baseball for the Santa Barbara Foresters, he volunteered with Hugs for Cubs, which helps local families battling childhood cancer by raising money through social events and participating in a “buddy” program.

Competition

French came into his senior season as the Big 12 career leader in wins and innings pitched among active players. As a junior in 2014, he ranked 10th in the Big 12 with a 2.41 ERA and has a 1.76 ERA through his first three starts this season. He earned freshman All-American honors from Louisville Slugger/Collegiate Baseball in 2012. He made 21 appearances his first season—nine of them starts—and then took over as the team’s No. 1 starter as a sophomore in 2013 when he had a 2.68 ERA. He continued as the No. 1 starter again in 2014 and is in his third season getting the ball on Friday nights as a senior in 2015.