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2013 Track and Field Media Guide
26 Olympians Produced
15 Individual National Champions
7
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Distance Coach Matt Sparks
In addition to what his runners have done on the course,
Sparks’ cross country athletes have been successful in the
classroom as well. In fact, the 2002-2009 women’s teams each
achieved Academic All-America status with distinction, with
the 2003 squad earning the second-highest GPA (3.61) in the
country.
Prior to joining the Salukis, Sparks enjoyed a successful
two-year coaching stint at Ohio State, where he also coached
women’s cross country and distance. The Lady Buckeye dis-
tance crew set school records in the 3000m steeplechase and
the distance medley relay under Sparks’ direction.
Sparks first started coaching at his alma mater, Indiana Uni-
versity, where he served as a graduate assistant and volunteer
assistant coach for three years. He played a key role in the
recruitment and development of many cross country and track
and field athletes for the Hoosiers. Additionally, he helped
lead the women’s program to Big Ten Conference Indoor and
Outdoor championships in 2000.
Before his coaching debut, Sparks came to Indiana as an ath-
lete on the cross country and track teams. He gained valuable
experience working with national champion and American re-
cord holder Bob Kennedy and Hall-of-Fame coach Sam Bell.
During his athletic days, Sparks was a consistent scorer at the
Big Ten Championships on the track. In 1996, he narrowly
missed qualifying for the NCAA outdoor championships in
Eugene, Ore., running a time of 14:12.82 in the 5000m. Also,
he ran in the top-three for the Hoosier cross country teams for
four years.
A native of Noblesville, Ind., Sparks earned an education
degree in general science and biology in 1997, and a master’s
degree in applied sport science in 1999. In 1992, he graduated
from Noblesville High School, where he was a three-time top-
five finisher in the state cross country meet, and a four-time
all-Indiana track and field recipient.
Sparks, and his wife, Emily, reside in Carbondale with their
son, Samuel, and daughter, Eliza.
Coach Sparks At A Glance:
• Led the Saluki men’s cross country team to four MVC titles
(2004, 2007, 2008, 2012).
• Guided Saluki women’s cross country team to back-to-back
runner-up finishes at MVC Championships.
• Coached 39 MVC Champions.
• Coached 111 all-MVC performers.
• Coached 72 MVC Scholar-Athletes.
• Coached 13 NCAA qualifiers.
• Coached nine USATF Junior All-Americans.
• Coached eight cross country teams that earned Academic
All-American status with distinction. His 2003 squad had the
second-highest GPA (3.61) in the nation.
• Coached one USATF Junior National Champion and World
Junior Competitor.