JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman head football coach Ken Sparks has been honored as the first recipient of the Academy for Wellness, Education and Services (AWES) International Foundation's Lifetime Harmony Award.
The AWES International Foundation says it honors the recipient of the Lifetime Harmony Award who "continuously lives out both in and through one's 'laboratory of learning' the soul of the song that echoes. 'Let there be peace on earth and let it begin in me.'"
The foundation chose Sparks because he has dedicated his soul and life humbly over an extended time to bring bio-psycho-social-cultural-spiritual wholeness and integration to person and systems and systems using one's service setting to effect change. Further, the organization says that his change agent has fostered change that is organic, multi-systemic, mutigenerational and infectious to others who also help live out such a calling.
The accolade is one of a litany of honors Sparks has received in his 35 years at Mossy Creek. Sparks, in addition to being the winningest active coach in the country at any division, is a member of the Carson-Newman, South Atlantic Conference, NAIA, NCAA Division II and Knoxville Sports Halls of Fame.
With a career record of 325-89-2, Sparks ranks fifth on the all-time wins list. He is Division II's all-time winningest head coach.
The award will be presented Jan. 30 at the District Five Fine Arts Center in Duncan, S.C. during the AWES International Benefit Concert "Music for the Soul in All Seasons."
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