March 30th, 2015 by WCBC Radio
MPSSAA Executive Director Ned Sparks has announced his retirement effective August 1. Sparks has served that position since 1981.
- Twice expanding the State Football Tournament;
- Establishing open state tournaments allowing every school to enter the playoffs;
- Establishing state championship tournaments in Girls Soccer, Swimming, Boys and Girls Lacrosse and Dual Meet Wrestling;
- Developing extensive corporate sponsorships;
- Implementing electronic ticketing for state tournaments;
- Launching the MPSSAA website;
- Moving state championships to the best sport-specific venues in the State;
- Providing live streaming of state championships;
- Establishing Student Leadership and Scholar-Athlete programs.
In addition, Sparks has served on the National Federation for State High School Associations (NFHS) Board of Directors, served two terms as Chair of the Boys Lacrosse Rules Committee, Chaired the NFHS Competition Committee, and served on the NFHS Strategic Planning Committee.
Prior to joining the MPSSAA, Sparks taught, coached, and was athletic director at Howard High School for ten years. He began his professional career as a teacher and coach at Mt. Saint Joseph in 1969. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina where he was a two year letterman on the football team.
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