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Monday, May 03, 2010

Carson-Newman legendary coach Ken Sparks has been named recipient of the 2010 Gen. Robert R. Neyland Trophy

http://www.cneagles.com/sports/m-footbl/2009-10/releases/201004200jcmkm

 

The editorial board glowingly affirmed that “there are many good reasons” to honor the 1968 C-N alumnus.  The piece noted that Sparks is known for “truly caring about the young men who play for him and wear the Eagles’ orange and blue. He seeks to develop in his athletes a sense of making good life decisions and becoming solid citizens wherever they reside.”

 

Sparks, who is beginning his 31st season as the Eagles head coach, has built a national football powerhouse first at the NAIA level and now at the NCAA Division II level. The numbers speak for themselves when examining the success Sparks has brought to the Eagle football program -- five national championships, four national runner-up finishes, 20 South Atlantic Conference championships and 21 NAIA or NCAA playoff appearances. A respected and well-known coach at any level, Sparks has accumulated the best won-lost record and highest winning percentage of any coach in C-N football history.

 

As would be expected for someone with his long list of accomplishments, Sparks has become one of the most-decorated coaches in college football. He was named NAIA Coach of the Year in 1984 and has been voted SAC Coach of the Year by his peers 11 times. He was named Fellowship of Christian Athletes National Coach of the Year, American Football Coach Magazine Division II Coach of the Year and Tennessee Sports Writers Association Coach of the Year in 1999. He also was named Tennessee Sports Writers Association College Coach of the Year again in 2002.

1998 - Lou Holtz, Notre Dame

1999 - Eddie Robinson, Grambling

2000 - Tom Osborne, Nebraska

2001 - Doug Dickey, Tennessee

2002 - Gene Stallings, Alabama

2003 - Johnny Majors, Pittsburgh

2004 - John Gaglidardi, St. John's (Minn.)

2005 - Barry Switzer, Oklahoma

2006 - John Cooper, Ohio State

2007 - John Robinson, UNLV

2008 - Lloyd Carr, Michigan

2009 - Phillip Fulmer, Tennessee

2010 – Ken Sparks, Carson-Newman

 

 

Jeff

 

Tilden J. Fleming, AICP

Assistant City Manager for Development

City of Kingsport, Tennessee

Phone: 423.229.9381 (desk/cell)

Email: JeffFleming@KingsportTN.gov

Web: www.Development.KingsportTN.gov

 

Kingsport location half size

 

 

 

 

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