SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Converse University athletic department has announced that Christy Laughter, Deidre Park, and Hilary Parkin will be enshrined as the second Hall of Fame Class on February 20, 2026.
 
Converse University Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics Jenn Bell said, "The three individuals selected for this year's Hall of Fame class are top-notch women who accomplished so much as student-athletes at Converse. I am thrilled they have been selected as the newest members of our Hall of Fame, as they all helped shape who we are today, and I could not be more excited to honor them in February."
 
Deidre Park (Tallahassee, Fla.) – Park is the first women's basketball only athlete inducted into the Converse Athletic Hall of Fame. Park competed for the All-Stars from 1986-1990 and the school retired her jersey at the conclusion of her career. Park concluded her career as the program's all-time leading scorer with 1,792 career points. Park also recorded 502 rebounds, 159 assists and 146 steals for the All-Stars. At the conclusion of her freshman season (1986-87), Park was named to the All-District Six Freshman Team, the American Women's Sports Foundation All-Region Team, the American Women's Sports Foundation Freshman All-American Team and was the Converse College MVP. Following her sophomore season (1987-88), Park was the NAIA National Free Throw Champion, Named to the American Women's Sports Foundation All-American Team, Named to the All-District Six Team and was the Converse College MVP. Following her junior season (1988-89) Park was named to the All-District Six Team, the All-District Six All-Star Team, named to the American Women's Sports Foundation All-American Team and was the Converse College MVP.
 
Following her senior season (1989-1990) was named to the All-District Six Team, Named District Six Player of the Week (January 20, 1990), a District Six Scholar Athlete, Named to the NAIA All-American Second Team, Named to the NAIA American Women's Sports Foundation All-American Second Team, a First Team Palmetto State Conference Selection, Named the Player of the Year in the Palmetto Conference, Women's Basketball Coaches Association District Kodak All-American Team, NAIA District Six Red Myers Award and the Converse College MVP award.
 
Outside of athletics, was a trustee honor scholar, a Dean's List Scholar and was in the 1990s Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. Park is currently the Vice President of Investor Relations Prime Meridian Bank in Tallahassee Florida.  
 
Christy Laughter (Hendersonville, N.C.) – Laughter is the first dual sport athlete to be enshrined in the Converse Athletic Hall of Fame. Laughter was a two-sport standout in both volleyball and women's basketball from 1998-2002. Laughter's basketball jersey was retired at the conclusion of her career. Laughter finished her career as the school's all-time leader in points (1,840), free throws (523) and rebounds (587). Laughter was an MVP all four years in basketball and was an All-Tournament selection seven times between the two sports. Laughter was also named the Spartanburg Herald-Journal's College Player of the Week five times in her career. Laughter led the volleyball team in kills as an outside hitter and she helped guide the volleyball team to 30 wins during her senior season. During her senior season, the volleyball team would have finished second in the Carolina Virginia Athletic Conference.
 
Graduated from Cum Laude from Converse with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Economics. Laughter went on to serve in the United States Army working in military intelligence. Following multiple overseas deployments, Laughter worked as a defense contractor from 2010-2024.
  
Hilary Parkin (Troy, Ala.) – Is the first women's soccer athlete to be inducted into the Converse Athletics Hall of Fame. Parkin was a member of the Converse soccer team from 2008-2012 and was a three-time team Captain for the Valkyries. Parkin was a four-year starter for the Purple and Gold and was selected to the All-Conference team twice during her career. While at Converse, Parkin won the MVP award and the Shield & Spear Award. During her senior year, Parkin won the coveted Weisiger Cup. Academically, Parkin was a Daniels Leadership Graduate, was named the Outstanding Freshmen of the Year by Converse College Student Development and Success and was the ProAm College Marketing Coordinator at BMW.
 
Outside of sports, Parkin was a part of the Student Government Association Executive Committee and was the Valkyries Athletics Chair. Parkin was also the President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and was awarded Student-Government Most Outstanding SGA Member by Converse College Student Development and Success.
 
After leaving Converse, Parkin was a graduate assistant at Troy University and earned her MBA from Troy in December 2014. After a few years away from Troy, Parkin returned in 2018 to be an academic advisor in the athletic department. Currently Parkin is the Associate Director of Athletics, Academic Services and is the Senior Women's Administrator. Parkin earned her Doctorate of Philosophy in Sport Management in December of 2024 and she is the Sport Administrator for Women's Basketball and Volleyball.  
 
The Class of 2026 will be enshrined on the campus of Converse University on Friday, February 20^th, 2026. Tickets for the event can be bought at this link.
 
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