Email Coach Matt Sparks

Updated August 22, 2007

Matt Sparks is in his sixth year as the distance and middle distance coach of the Saluki track and field program. Sparks also serves as the head coach of the men's and women's cross country teams.

Sparks has led a resurgence in SIU's distance program over the last five years. In his first year as coach of both cross country programs in 2004, he led the Saluki men to a share of the MVC title, while the women finished second at the MVC Championships for the second year in a row.

On the track, Sparks' athletes have experienced similar success. In 2006, Ty-Nica Davis placed 13th at the NCAA Outdoor Championships (Sacramento, Calif.) in the 800-meter run. Under Sparks' watch, SIU has qualified an athlete to the NCAA regional meet in every distance event, claiming 12 MVC individual championships along the way. In 2006 Mohamed Mohamed collected the men's individual title at the MVC Cross Country Championship (Lincoln, Neb.)

In addition to Davis (four-time conference champion in the 4x400m relay and 800-meter run; USATF Junior All-American in 800m), other athletes in Sparks' charge include Brittani Christensen (school record holder in the 3000m steeplechase), Cherylynn Schilling (USATF Junior All-American in 5000m), Shelby Brice (USATF Junior All-American in 3000 Steeplechase), Sarah Rinker (NCAA Regional Qualifier in 5000m run and indoor 5000m school record-holder) and Joe Byrne (two time MVC Champion in the 5000 and 10,000-meter run).

Also at SIU, Sparks has coached several record holders, including Beitler, Davis and Christensen. 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 2002-2005 teams each achieved Academic All-American 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 distance 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 University, 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 athlete on the cross country and track teams. He gained valuable experience working with national champion and American record 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. Also, he ran in the top-three for the Hoosier cross country teams in both his junor and senior campaigns.

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.

Sparks' SIU career at a Glance

• Led Saluki men's cross country team to a share of the MVC title in 2005.
• Guided Saluki women's cross country team to back-to-back second-place finishes at MVC Championships.
• Coached 12 MVC Champions.
• Coached six MVC runner-ups.
• Coached 39 all-MVC performances.
• Coached 24 MVC Scholar-Athletes.
• Coached three NCAA Qualifiers.
• Coached four USATF Junior All-Americans.
• His 2002-2005 cross country teams achieved Academic All-American status with distinction. His 2003 squad earned the second-highest GPA (3.61) in the nation.