Six-time NCAA champion Parker Valby has signed a professional contract with New Balance and will relocate to Boston, the brand announced on Thursday.
Valby, 22, was a standout at the University of Florida and dominated in her final season with the Gators and is the current record holder for the 5,000m indoor, 5,000m outdoor and 10,000m. She capped her 2024 campaign at the Paris Olympic as a finalist in the 10,000m and finished 11th in 30:59.28.
She joins a New Balance roster that also includes Elle St. Pierre, Emily Mackay and Heather McClean and will train under coach Mark Coogan.
“I am excited to join the New Balance family and train in Boston with such an incredible group of runners,” Parker said in a statement. “Family is very important to me and it was very clear that New Balance was the brand for me and I can’t wait to get started. Boston already feels like home and I am honored to start my professional career with a brand that wants to support my dreams on and off the track.”
Valby signed a NIL deal with Nike heading into her senior year with the Gators and according to Runner’s World, the brand had first right of refusal when she finally decided to turn pro. That means the company could match any other contract offer she received. She was represented by her father Kyle Valby during negotiations.
Many college athletes sign with the brand from their NIL agreements once they turn professional, which was the case with Katelyn Tuohy, who stuck with Adidas. She announced in December that she was forgoing her final year of eligibility at NC State.
Valby’s six collegiate titles came in commanding fashion, with wins in the 2023 NCAA outdoor championship 5,000m final, 2024 NCAA cross country championship, victories in the 2024 NCAA indoor championships in the 3,000m and 5,000m and the 2024 NCAA outdoor championship in the 5,000m and 10,000m.
“Parker is an incredible talent who shares the same values we do at New Balance, and we are honored to have her join our family of athletes,” Pete Riley, New Balance Head of Running Sports Marketing said in a statement. “Having Parker living in Boston and training on our campus is a tremendous opportunity for us to work closely on inspiring the next generation of runners and push innovation forward across product lines.”
