SAULT STE. MARIE – Sprints, hurdles and jumps specialist Matt Sparks will replace Steve Eles as Lake Superior State's head track and field coach in 2010-11.

Sparks was an assistant coach at Western State College of Colorado for two seasons before assisting at Chadron State (Neb.) in 2009-10. Both are NCAA Division II institutions. He is a 2007 graduate of Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, Cal., where he was a 10-time NAIA All-American in sprints, hurdles and relays. He won NAIA national titles in the outdoor 110-meter high hurdles in 2006 and indoor 60-meter high hurdles in 2007. 

"I am excited to be a part of Laker Athletics and LSSU,” Sparks said. “There is a lot of potential to build something really special here as a track and field program. Building a well-rounded, hard-working team capable of contending for GLIAC titles is my first priority."

Eles is continuing as LSSU's cross country coach, but vacated his head track and field coaching position in order to take an administrative position on campus. He managed both programs for five seasons. Eles will continue to work with Lake Superior State's distance runners.

“Coach Sparks has had a lot of success with the student-athletes he worked with at his
previous two institutions and I am so pleased that he will be bringing his talents to LSSU,” said Kris Dunbar, LSSU director of athletics. “It's nice to know that our track and field staff now has just about every event covered when it comes to specialties and expertise.”

Last season, Sparks coached Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference champions in the indoor 60 and 200-meter dashes and 60-meter hurdles, and the outdoor 100, 200 and 400-meter dashes, 110-meter hurdles and 4x100-meter relay. While at Western State College, he assisted the men's team to a seventh-place finish at the NCAA Division II Indoor National Championships. He has coached 10 NCAA Division II national qualifiers.

Sparks also has experience teaching exercise and sports science and physical education courses, managing an operating budget and producing promotions materials. He is working on a masters degree in sports management. He is engaged to LSSU's new softball coach, Lori Shimasaki.