Noblesville High School graduate Matt Sparks has been named the head coach for the Notre Dame men’s and women’s track and field and cross country program.
According to a press release on the Notre Dame athletics website, “Sparks has guided the Notre Dame cross country program, as well as coaching Irish women’s distance runners throughout the indoor and outdoor track seasons during those four years after holding a similar role at Southern Illinois University for 12 years.”
“Matt’s leadership of our very successful women’s distance program during the past four years, the compelling endorsements given to us by his students and his passion for Notre Dame’s mission make Matt the perfect choice to lead our program forward into what we believe can be an era of unprecedented success,” says University vice president and James E. Rohr director of athletics Jack Swarbrick.
“Growing up in Indiana, I have long felt that Notre Dame has always been a place of storied tradition,” says Sparks. “Having now spent four years at Notre Dame, this place is even more special to me. I now fully understand the tremendous pride felt for Notre Dame by students and the alumni of this University.
“It is with the utmost respect for this University that I look forward to leading the track and cross country program. I would like to thank the search committee led by Claire Leatherwood Slebonick and Reggie Brooks, as well as athletic director Jack Swarbrick and University president Father John Jenkins for believing in my vision for the program.”
The press release goes on to say:
“His Notre Dame women’s distance crew in 2017-18 produced first-team All-America honors for Anna Rohrer after she finished sixth in the 10,000 meters at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship (she was runner-up in that event in the Atlantic Coast Conference outdoor meet). Jessica Harris claimed first-team All-America recognition at the NCAA indoor meet with an eighth-place finish in the mile after defending her title in that event at the ACC indoor championship. Harris also earned first-team Academic All-America honors in 2018.
“Sparks oversaw an Irish women’s distance squad that finished 11th overall at the 2016 NCAA Cross Country Championship. Sparks led the Irish women to six ACC individual titles in 2016-17, including four by Rohrer (cross country, indoor 5,000 meters, outdoor 5,000 and 10,000 meters). Rohrer highlighted Notre Dame’s season with a third-place finish overall in the cross country national final. Sparks also coached Harris and Danielle Aragon to second-team All-America finishes in the 1,500 meters at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship.
“During his second season at Notre Dame, Sparks helped Molly Seidel to a spectacular year. She added to her national championship tally as she went on to win not only the individual NCAA Cross Country Championship, but also NCAA titles in the indoor 3,000 and 5,000 meters. Seidel also won the individual ACC championship in cross country as well as the Great Lakes Regional individual crown. She continued her success during the indoor season and won ACC titles in the 3,000- and 5,000-meter races.”
