FLORENCE, Ala.
-- Carson-Newman head football coach Ken
Sparks is one of three legendary Division II Head Coaches
that will comprise the 2010 Division II College Football Hall of
Fame Class of 2010. Northwest Missouri State University head coach
Mel Tjeerdsma and long-time University of North
Alabama coach and current University of West Alabama head coach
Bobby Wallace will join Sparks as part of the
Hall's 12th induction class on December 17.
Established in 1999, the
Division II Football Hall of Fame has inducted former Division II
players annually for the last 11 years. The 2010 inductions will
mark the first group of coaches to be honored.
Sparks, current head
coach at Carson-Newman (Tenn.) College, ranks as the winningest
coach in Division II history and has won 13 conference
championships and made 12 NCAA playoff appearances in the
last 17 years. His overall coaching record in 30 seasons is
287-70-2 and ranks third highest among active coaches in all NCAA
Divisions. He has led Carson-Newman to three Championship Game
appearances in Florence.
In 2009, Sparks led the Eagles to an 11-game
winning streak after an 0-2, and a berth in the D-II national
semifinals. In all, his teams have reached the national semifinals
five times.
Sparks will enter his 31st season at Mossy Creek
this fall, and has never had a losing record. Carson-Newman, in its
17 season at the Division II level under Sparks, has never lost
more than three regular season games.
Tjeerdsma, current head coach at Northwest
Missouri State University, has led the Bearcats to five consecutive
appearances in the Division II Championship Game and to three NCAA
titles. He and Wallace are the only coaches in the 37-year history
of the Division II Football Championship to have coached three
national championship teams. Tjeerdsma has 230 overall collegiate
wins and has won 11 conference championships at Northwest Missouri
State and made 12 NCAA playoff appearances. His 38 playoff
games
coached, 29 playoff wins and seven Championship Game appearances
are the most in Division II history. His 1998 national championship
team was also the first in Division II history to go 15-0.
Wallace, current head
coach at the University of West Alabama, became the first coach in
college football history to win as many as 40 games in just three
seasons when he led the University of North Alabama to a 41-1
record and three straight NCAA Division II National Championships
from 1993-95. He is also the only coach in Division II to ever win
three straight national championships. Wallace has led seven teams
to Division II post-season play, including West Alabama last
season, marking the school's first NCAA appearance since 1975. He
was previously named Division II Coach of the Quarter Century
(1972-97).
The coaches were
chosen by a selection committee and the official
announcement was made Thursday by Division II Football Hall of Fame
Chairman Jeff Hodges.
"It has been our
intention since the Hall of Fame was created in 1999 to not only
honor the outstanding players from Division II but also the
outstanding coaches within the division," Hodges said. "Our
induction of Shannon Sharpe last December gave us 25 players in the
Hall, and with this year being the 25th anniversary of the Division
II Championship Game's move to Florence, we felt it was perfect
timing.
"While all three of
these coaches selected are still actively coaching at Division II
programs, our committee felt that each had already reached a
pinnacle of success deserving of Hall of Fame recognition," Hodges
added.
Ken Sparks, 2010 Division II Hall of Fame
Inductee
“It is an exciting and humbling honor at the same
time… I'm grateful that the Lord has blessed me with
so many great people around me in a way that only he can that only
he can do…Being in a place like Carson-Newman for 30
seasons, that is not only stable enough, but also supporting
and encouraging of the ministry we have through football, has truly
been a blessing…I am thankful for so many great men around
me. You can't have this kind of success without great people
to push you, so I'm thankful to the Mike Whitleys, Mike
Turners, Jim Deatons, and Dan Reddings that have been as much a
part of this as I have.”
Sparks on his fellow inductees:
“I don't know how Bobby (Wallace) and Mel (get drug
down with a guy like me. They're both tremendous coaches, and
I'm proud to be associated and coach with those two guys. It
is hard not to be proud of what they have accomplished.”
David Barger, Carson-Newman Athletic Director
“It is gratifying to see a friend and colleague recognized
for something they truly deserve. As a coach, Ken has been
consistent in his faith in God and service to mankind. He has
simply been much more than a football Hall of Famer.”
Division II Football Hall of Fame Additional
Information:
"All three have also
been a part of the Division II Championship Game tradition in the
Shoals and this will be our chance to honor them, not only for
their coaching ccomplishments, but also for being the great
ambassadors that they have been for Division II football."
The trio of coaches will
be inducted on December 17 as part of a combined Harlon
Hill Trophy and Division II Football Hall of Fame Banquet at 6:30
p.m. at the Marriott Shoals Conference Center in Florence, Ala.
The initial class
of inductees in 1999 included running back Johnny Bailey of Texas
A&I (now Texas A&M-Kingsville), quarterback Jeff Bentrim of
North Dakota State and the late Walter Payton of Jackson
State University.
In 2000, defensive
lineman Harry Carson of South Carolina State University,
defensive lineman Pierce Holt of Angelo State University, and wide
receiver John Stallworth of Alabama A&M were inducted.
In 2001 the third
class was comprised of tight end Brent Jones of Santa Clara
University, linebacker Greg Lloyd of Fort Valley State University
and quarterback Ken O'Brien of the University of
California-Davis.
Quarterback Scott
Brunner of Delaware, receiver Andre Reed of Kutztown and linebacker
Jessie Tuggle of Valdosta State comprised the 2002 class.
Former Texas
A&M-Kingsville and Washington Redskins standout Darrell Green
was inducted in 2003, and former North Dakota State and Buffalo
Bills standout Phil Hansen was inducted in 2004.
The 2005 class included
Chris Hatcher of Valdosta State, Ronald Moore of Pittsburg State
and Donnie Shell of South Carolina State.
Cody Gross of North
Alabama, John Randle of Texas A&M-Kingsville and Sean
Landeta of Towson State were inducted in 2006.
The 2007 inductees
included Earl Dotson of Texas A&M-Kingsville, Ronald McKinnon
of North Alabama and Mike Turk of Troy State. Missouri
Southern's Rod Smith was the 24th inductee into the Hall in 2008
and Shannon Sharpe was the 25th last December.
The Division II Football
Hall of Fame is housed at Braly Municipal Stadium, which has
hosted the Division II Football Championship Game since 1986.
The 38th annual
Division II Football Championship Game will be played at Braly
Stadium at 11 a.m. on December 18, 2010, and the Harlon Hill
Trophy presentation to the Division II Player of the Year, and the
Hall of Fame inductions are part of the Shoals area's championship
week activities.
The Division
II Football Hall of Fame is sponsored by The City of
Florence, Florence-Lauderdale Tourism, OptiNet, Herff Jones and the
Marriott Shoals Hotel and Spa.
Tickets are $50 each or
$400 for a table of eight and are available by calling the Shoals
Chamber of Commerce (256) 764-4661 or the UNA Sports Information
Office at (256) 765-4595.
KEN SPARKS • Carson-Newman College
Division II Biography
Years Coaching in Division II: 17, 1993-Present
Record as Division II Coach: 152-35-1 (17 years)
Division II National Championships: none
Division II National Runner-up: 3 (1996, 1998, 1999)
Division II Playoff Appearances: 12 (1993, 1994, 1995, 1996,
1997, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2008, 2009)
Division II Playoff Record: 17-12
Conference Championships in Division II: 13 South Atlantic
Conference
(1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007,
2008, 2009)
Coaching Awards in Division II:
* Fellowship of Christian Athletes National Coach of the Year
(1999)
* American Football Coach Magazine Division II Coach of the Year
(1999)
* Tennessee Sports Writers Association Coach of the Year (1999)
* South Atlantic Conference Coach of the Year 6 times (1993, 1996,
1997, 2002, 2003, 2009)
* Received the 2010 Gen. Robert R. Neyland Trophy
Other Items of Note:
* His 287 wins ranks third best among all active collegiate coaches
behind only John Gagliardi of St. Johns and Joe Paterno of Penn
State
* Inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2004
* President of the American Football Coaches Association in
2008
NON-Division II
* Overall Coaching Record: 287-70-2 (30 seasons)
* 5 NAIA National Championships
* 1 NAIA National Runner-up
* 9 NAIA Playoff Appearances
* 21 total South Atlantic Conference Championships (7 NAIA, 13
Division II)
* NAIA National Coach of the Year in 1984
* 12 time SAC Coach of the Year (6 NAIA, 6 Division II)
MEL TJEERDSMA • Northwest Missouri State University
Division II Biography
Years Coaching in Division II: 16, 1994-Present
Record as Division II Coach: 171-41 (16 years)
Division II National Championships: 3 (1998, 1999, 2009)
Division II National Runner-up: 4 (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008)
Division II Playoff Appearances: 12 (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000,
2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009)
Division II Playoff Record: 29-9
Conference Championships in Division II:11 Mid-America
Intercollegiate Athletic Association (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000,
2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009)
Coaching Awards in Division II:
* AFCA Division II National Coach of the Year (1998, 1999, 2008,
2009)
* Liberty Mutual National Coach of the Year (2009)
* FieldTurf National Coach of the Year (2009)
* MIAA Coach of the Year 11 times (1995-2000, 2002, 2006-09)
* AFCA Regional Coach of the Year 7 times (1996-2000, 2006,
2008)
Other Items of Note:
* His three Division II National Championships tie him with Bobby
Wallace for the most by any coach in the division's 37-year
history.
* His seven Division II Championship Game appearances are the most
by any coach in the division's history.
* His 29 career playoff wins are the most by any coach in Division
II history
* His 38 playoff games coached are the most in Division II
history
* Coached first Division II team to go 15-0 in 1998
* On August 23, 2007, the field at NW Missouri's Bearcat Stadium
was named Mel Tjeerdsma Field.
* President of the American Football Coaches Association in
2006
NON-Division II
* Overall Coaching Record: 230-79-4 (26 years)
* Led Austin College to three Texas Intercollegiate Athletic
Association championships
* Two trips to the NAIA Playoffs
* Three-time TIAA Coach of the Year
BOBBY WALLACE • University of West Alabama
Division II Biography
Years Coaching in Division II: 14 (1988-97, 2006-09)
Record as Division II Coach: 101-62-1 (82-36-1 at UNA 10
years/19-26 at UWA 4 year)
Division II National Championships: 3 (1993, 1994, 1995)
Division II National Runner-up: none
Division II Playoff Appearances: 7 (1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995,
1997, 2009)
Division II Playoff Record: 14-4
Conference Championships in Division II:
3 Gulf South Conference (1993, 1994, 1995)
Coaching Awards in Division II:
* Division II Coach of the Quarter Century (1972-97)
* Gulf South Conference Coach of the Quarter Century (1971-95)
* AFCA Division II National Coach of the Year (1993, 1994,
1995)
* Gulf South Conference Coach of the Year (1993, 1994, 1995)
Other Items of Note:
* His three Division II National Championships tie him with Mel
Tjeerdsma for the most by any coach in the division's 37-year
history.
* Wallace's 1993-95 teams had a combined 41-1 record, making
Wallace the first coach in collegiate football history to win as
many as 40 games in just three seasons.
* The three straight national titles also made UNA the first school
in the history of NCAA scholarship football to win three straight
national titles.
* His 1995 team was chosen as the "Division II Team of the Quarter
Century" for 1972-97
* His 1995 squad was first Division II team invited to the White
House (President Clinton)
* Inducted into Alabama Sports Hall of Fame
* Only Coach with 10 or more post-season wins to take two different
Division II schools to playoffs
* First year at West Alabama in 2006, he led the Tigers to their
first winning season in 14 years
* In 2009 he led West Alabama to first Division II playoff
appearance since 1975
NON-Division II
* Overall Coaching Record: 120-133-1 (includes eight seasons at
Temple)
April 20, 2010
Sparks receives prestigious Neyland Award
March 3, 2010
Eagles to Hold Orange and Blue Game on Saturday
March 2, 2010
Carson-Newman Adds Seven to 2010 Football Signing Class
February 8, 2010
Eagles Add Two to 2010 Signing Class
December 14, 2009
Eagles Ranked Fourth in Final AFCA Poll
December 4, 2009
Carson-Newman Game Notes vs. Grand Valley State
November 30, 2009
Scouting Report: No. 10 Carson-Newman vs. No. 3 Grand Valley State
November 28, 2009
Semifinal Bound: Eagles Drop UNA in Florence, 24-21
November 27, 2009
Gameday Central: Carson-Newman/Grand Valley State
November 25, 2009
Back to Florence: Eagles Face North Alabama on Saturday
November 24, 2009
Scouting Report: Carson-Newman vs. North Alabama
November 23, 2009
Kickoff Time Set for Eagles' Quarterfinal at UNA
November 20, 2009
Gameday Central: Carson-Newman vs. West Alabama
November 19, 2009
Carson-Newman Game Notes vs. West Alabama
November 18, 2009
Eagles Postseason Begins with West Alabama on Saturday
November 18, 2009
C-Ns Needs Named D-II Assistant Coach of the Year
November 17, 2009
Scouting Report: Carson-Newman vs. West Alabama
November 9, 2009
Carson-Newman Climbs to 10th in AFCA Poll
November 9, 2009
Carson-Newman Leads Way On SAC 2009 All-Conference Football Team
November 8, 2009
No. 14 Carson-Newman Receives First-Round Bye in NCAA Playoffs
November 7, 2009
No. 14 Carson-Newman Defeats Tusculum, 70-35, on Record-Setting Day
November 6, 2009
Eagles Good Named Candidate for Harlon Hill Trophy
November 6, 2009
Gameday Central for Carson-Newman/Tusculum on Saturday
November 5, 2009
Eagles Host Tusculum in Regular-Season Finale Saturday
November 2, 2009
Eagles Jump to 14th in AFCA Poll, Remain No. 2 in Regional Rankings
November 2, 2009
Eagles' Wakefield Named SAC Offensive Player of the Week
October 31, 2009
No. 18 Carson-Newman Runs by Wingate, 45-7, to Win 21st SAC Title
October 28, 2009
Eagles Travel to Wingate on Saturday with SAC Title on the Line
October 26, 2009
Eagles Move to 18th in AFCA Poll, Second in Regional Rankings
October 24, 2009
No. 20 Carson-Newman Cruises Past Brevard, 77-7
October 19, 2009
Eagles Jump to 20th in AFCA Poll
October 15, 2009
Eagles Travel to Lenoir-Rhyne on Saturday
October 10, 2009
Carson-Newman Battles Back to Down Catawba, 41-31, on Homecoming
October 8, 2009
Carson-Newman Hosts Catawba for Homecoming on Saturday
October 5, 2009
Eagles Third in First Regional Rankings
October 3, 2009
Carson-Newman Storms Past Mars Hill, 55-28
October 2, 2009
Carson-Newman Visits Mars Hill on Saturday Afternoon
September 28, 2009
Eagles' Good, Lopez Named SAC Players of the Week
September 26, 2009
Carson-Newman Takes Down Newberry in SAC Opener, 23-20
September 24, 2009
Eagles Welcome Newberry in SAC Opener Saturday
September 21, 2009
C-N's Jones Named SAC Special Teams Player of the Week
September 19, 2009
Carson-Newman Upends UNC Pembroke, 35-22
September 16, 2009
Eagles Set to Host Unbeaten UNC Pembroke Saturday
September 10, 2009
Eagles Roll Past Campbellsville, 38-10, in Home Opener
September 8, 2009
Eagles Set For Thursday's Home Opener Against Campbellsville
September 5, 2009
No. 22 Carson-Newman Falls at No. 4 North Alabama, 31-14
September 4, 2009
Eagles Set for Top 25 Showdown at No. 4 North Alabama
August 27, 2009
Carson-Newman Drops 2009 Season Opener, 17-12, At Winona State
August 25, 2009
Sparks Begins 30th Season at Mossy Creek on Thursday Night
August 21, 2009
Eagles Begin Game Week Preparations for Season Opener
August 19, 2009
Eagles Hold Final Scrimmage of Fall Camp
August 17, 2009
Eagles Ranked Ninth in AFCA Preseason Poll
August 15, 2009
Good, Hubbard On Same Page During Saturday's Scrimmage
August 14, 2009
Eagles Hold Media Day, First Full Scrimmage
August 8, 2009
Eagles Continue to Grind Through Camp
July 30, 2009
Eagles Picked to Win South Atlantic Conference
July 13, 2009
Eagles Ranked Ninth in Lindy's Sports Preseason Poll
March 23, 2009
Carson-Newman Releases 2009 Football Schedule