California State University Northridge Athletics
2/26/2021 1:00:00 PM | Baseball
Throughout the month of February, CSUNÂ Athletics will celebrate Black History Month with a series of posts on GoMatadors.com.Â
NORTHRIDGE, Calif.---A former starting catcher on the Matadors, John Parham was a key contributor on the baseball team throughout his four-year career from 2006-09. Over a decade after his playing days, Parham has carved out an impressive career in the U.S. Navy where he is currently a Supply Corps Officer.Â
Parham, who earned All-Big West Honorable Mention accolades in 2008, would tally 162 career hits with the Matadors. He totaled 90 runs, 85 RBI, 50 walks, 24 doubles and 12 home runs with a career .280 batting average. Parham would have his most success as a junior where he shared the team lead in hits with 72 and batted a career-best .348 at the plate.
After graduating in 2009, Parham played professional baseball from 2010-11 in the American Association Independent League and would become a substitute teacher. In 2015, he then joined the Navy, the same branch of the armed forced that his father served.
"I joined the Navy specifically because I wanted to be a Supply Corps Officer," said Parham. "The world of logistics is more important now than ever and I was interested in learning and contributing to Navy readiness to make sure our warfighter and country are ready to execute the mission.
"I had no clue about the different career options the Navy offers when I played but I wish I had because there are so many similarities with competing on the field and the comradery that exists within the service," he added.
Currently a deputy comptroller of mission funds at the Naval Information Warfare Center in San Diego, Calif., Parham has been stationed in several states and even traveled to the Kingdom of Bahrain during his time in the service. In Bahrain, he was a logistics planner at the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command.
"The most rewarding thing has been the ability to work on initiatives that matter," he said. "My time in the Middle East took me well outside of my comfort zone on a regular basis but you get to see your efforts provide an immediate impact to the safety and security of our service members which is more rewarding than I could describe."
When asked about his biggest accomplishment, Parham points to his time as a Disbursing officer on board the USS Ralph Johnson, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer.
"The Navy is steeped in tradition, one of which being the first crew of a ship are designated as the Plank Owners," said Parham. "It's a title I'll cherish for the rest of my life."
As for the future, Parham is hoping to continue his journey in the Navy and perhaps become a Lieutenant Commander. Another of his goals, he hopes to give back to youth near his home in San Diego.
"Personally, I just purchased my first home in San Diego and I'm looking to get established within my community and mentor local youth," said Parham. "I owe much of my success to coaches and mentors that believed in me and I'd like to pay that forward."
#UniteTheValley
Â
NORTHRIDGE, Calif.---A former starting catcher on the Matadors, John Parham was a key contributor on the baseball team throughout his four-year career from 2006-09. Over a decade after his playing days, Parham has carved out an impressive career in the U.S. Navy where he is currently a Supply Corps Officer.Â
Parham, who earned All-Big West Honorable Mention accolades in 2008, would tally 162 career hits with the Matadors. He totaled 90 runs, 85 RBI, 50 walks, 24 doubles and 12 home runs with a career .280 batting average. Parham would have his most success as a junior where he shared the team lead in hits with 72 and batted a career-best .348 at the plate.
After graduating in 2009, Parham played professional baseball from 2010-11 in the American Association Independent League and would become a substitute teacher. In 2015, he then joined the Navy, the same branch of the armed forced that his father served.
"I joined the Navy specifically because I wanted to be a Supply Corps Officer," said Parham. "The world of logistics is more important now than ever and I was interested in learning and contributing to Navy readiness to make sure our warfighter and country are ready to execute the mission.
"I had no clue about the different career options the Navy offers when I played but I wish I had because there are so many similarities with competing on the field and the comradery that exists within the service," he added.
Currently a deputy comptroller of mission funds at the Naval Information Warfare Center in San Diego, Calif., Parham has been stationed in several states and even traveled to the Kingdom of Bahrain during his time in the service. In Bahrain, he was a logistics planner at the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command.
"The most rewarding thing has been the ability to work on initiatives that matter," he said. "My time in the Middle East took me well outside of my comfort zone on a regular basis but you get to see your efforts provide an immediate impact to the safety and security of our service members which is more rewarding than I could describe."
When asked about his biggest accomplishment, Parham points to his time as a Disbursing officer on board the USS Ralph Johnson, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer.
"The Navy is steeped in tradition, one of which being the first crew of a ship are designated as the Plank Owners," said Parham. "It's a title I'll cherish for the rest of my life."
As for the future, Parham is hoping to continue his journey in the Navy and perhaps become a Lieutenant Commander. Another of his goals, he hopes to give back to youth near his home in San Diego.
"Personally, I just purchased my first home in San Diego and I'm looking to get established within my community and mentor local youth," said Parham. "I owe much of my success to coaches and mentors that believed in me and I'd like to pay that forward."
#UniteTheValley
Â
Wednesday, September 16
Thursday, September 03
Wednesday, August 26
Friday, February 13