BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -- Cumberlands' (Ky.) women's volleyball coach Dr. Kathryn Park has been named the 2025-26 Mid-South Conference Female Coaching for Significance Award recipient, MSC officials announced on Wednesday.
Park was selected for the honor by the conference's character committee. Each full-member institution is permitted to nominate one male and one female coach from their staff for the honor.
Park garners her second conference coaching for significance award, matching her 2017-18.
"I am truly humbled and grateful to receive the Coaching for Significance Award," Park said. "This recognition is a reflection of the incredible people I get to work with every day -- our players, coaching staff, and the University of the Cumberlands community.
"I’m thankful for the way our team continues to lead with purpose, serve others, and represent something bigger than ourselves," Park added. "Thank you to everyone that nominated me and voted on this award."
Park led the Patriots women's volleyball team to an historic season in 2025.
Cumberlands captured the Mid-South Conference Regular Season and Tournament titles while reaching the NAIA National Tournament final site en route to a program-best 36-1 record.
"Coach Park has built a culture centered on a true player-first approach," Cumberlands Athletics Director Chris Kraftick said. "She prioritizes the well-being, development, and success of her student-athletes both on and off the court. Coach Park consistently invests in the emotional, academic, and athletic development of every player she coaches, helping prepare them not only for competition, but for life beyond college athletics."
Park owns a 283-140 record following her 13th season in 2025. Park is the program's all-time wins leader. She has led the Patriots to two conference regular-season championships and one tournament title over her career.
"Her program is grounded in servant leadership, accountability, and selflessness," Cumberlands President Quentin Young said. "She challenges student-athletes to pursue excellence with humility and to value character. The principles of Joy, Pride, Commitment, and Gratitude are not slogans within her program; They shape how her teams compete, learn, and serve."
In addition to her role as coach, Park volunteers at her church and mentors at the Williamsburg Independent School District. She runs volleyball clinics for local schools while also serving as an adjunct professor at Cumberlands.
"Coach Park pushed me to become the absolute best version of myself both on and off the court, and because of her, I will leave college not only as a better athlete but as a better leader, teammate, and person," Cumberlands women's volleyball student-athlete Davey Slaughter said. "She embodies what it means to coach for significance because her impact reaches far beyond volleyball. Wins and losses will not simply measure her legacy, but by the lives she has changed, including mine."
Park's honor is the fourth time a Cumberlands coach earns the MSC Female Coaching for Significance Award.