Calvin College recently selected John Sparks as its new baseball coach. Sparks replaces former coach Jim Timmer who recently stepped down from the position after three years to focus on his duties as Calvin's men's athletics director.

A native of Coldwater, Sparks spent the past six years as head baseball coach of Tabor College - an NAIA institution located in Hillsboro, Kansas. At Tabor, Sparks took a team that had won just five games in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference over the previous three years combined, and turned it into a respectable program.

"I'm very pleased that John Sparks will be our new baseball coach," said Timmer. "He is not only an excellent fit for our baseball program, but more importantly for Calvin College. I am confident that he will do an outstanding job."

Sparks earned his bachelor's degree in English and Religion from Grove City College, Grove City, PA, in 1995. From there, he went on to gain his master's degree in exercise physiology from Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, PA, graduating in 2000.

After playing college baseball at NCAA Division III member- Grove City College, Sparks then became assistant coach, and continued in that role from 1998 TO 2000. While he was there, Grove City College appeared in two consecutive conference championship games. Sparks also completed one year as head coach at Brookfield Area High School in Brookfield, Ohio, before accepting the head coaching position at Tabor College IN 2001.

His 2007 Tabor team finished 19-26 overall and 9-15 in the KCAC. "When I took over as head coach, there was a lot of rebuilding to do," said the 34-year old Sparks who was 27 when he became a collegiate head coach. "We never reached our goal of winning a conference championship while I was there but we did take several steps in the right direction. I've learned so much from my time at Tabor. It was an invaluable experience."

During his tenure at Tabor, Sparks consistently put together a schedule filled with nationally-ranked teams. "Each year we played 12-15 games against teams ranked in the (NAIA) Top-25," said Sparks. "I'm a believer in playing strong competition."

Sparks is also a believer in NCAA Division III athletics which led him to seek the head baseball coaching position at Calvin. "I've been looking to get back to the Division III level," said Sparks. "I have a strong appreciation for the balance that Division III offers between academics and athletics."

Sparks spent the first three years of his life living in Hillsdale, but then relocated with his family to Grove City, Pennsylvania. When looking for a college to attend, Sparks visited Calvin but instead chose to attend his home town college.

"When I came to Calvin for a visit, I was extremely impressed," said Sparks. "I'm even more impressed today. Calvin has a reputation for excellence in academics, athletics and its Christian commitment. I am thrilled to be a part of an outstanding Christian college and I am looking forward to the challenge."

Sparks takes over a Calvin baseball team that went 15-22 overall but was 15-13 in conference play for a fourth place MIAA finish. The Knights return several letterwinners from this past year's team including six players that either received first or second team All-MIAA honors.

"It's a good time to be taking over a team," said Sparks. "Coach Timmer, and before him Coach (Jeff) Pettinga, have done an incredible job of building this program. I've had a chance to talk to some of the returning players and I am looking forward to working with them."

During his three years as Calvin's baseball coach, Timmer was 46-65 overall but also 42-35 in MIAA competition. "I'll miss coaching baseball but the timing to step down was right," said Timmer. "My duties as an A.D. have continued to increase, particularly with our new building projects. I knew at some point I would have to give up coaching and when a full-time faculty position in our department opened up, I decided to make this decision because I wanted our new baseball coach to be a full-time member of our department."

ASSISTANT/PITCHING COACH MATT VRIESENGA
(audio interview with Matt Vriesenga)

Coach Matt Vriesenga grew up in Grand Rapids and attended Grand Rapids Christian High School. After High School he attended Hope College for 2 years where he was selected as an All-MIAA Pitcher in 1996 and 1997. As a junior, he transferred to Western Michigan University, where in 2000 he was named Pitcher of the Year for the Broncos. In June of 2000, Coach Vriesenga was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals and pitched professionally in that organization for the next three seasons.

As Head Coach at Grand Rapids Christian High School the last four seasons, he was named District Coach of the Year three times, and Regional Coach of the Year once. At Grand Rapids Christian, Vriesenga led the Eagles to 3 district championships, 2 city league championships, and 1 regional championship. In 2005, under his leadership, Grand Rapids Christian High School finished as the Division 2 state runner up.

Coach Vriesenga will be working primarily with the pitching staff this season.

ASSISTANT COACH JEREMY WILSON

Assistant Coach Jeremy Wilson grew up in Rolland, Oklahoma, where he excelled as one of the elite players in the state, earning the top batting average in Oklahoma his junior year of High School. After High School he attended Eastern Oklahoma State College, one of the top Junior Colleges in the state. 

Coach Wilson then transferred to Central Michigan University his junior season. As an outfielder for the Chippewas, Wilson helped lead Central to 2 NCAA regional appearances. In his time in the Grand Rapids area, Coach Wilson has worked with Brent Gates at Frozen Ropes Academy and also has provided lessons and conditioning expertise to area players as an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer. Wilson also served as an assistant coach under Matt Vriesenga at Grand Rapids Christian High School, helping the team claim 3 district championships, 2 city league championships, and 1 regional championship.

In 2005, under Coach Vriesenga and Wilson’s leadership, Grand Rapids Christian High School finished as the Division 2 state runner up

Coach Wilson will be working primarily with the outfielders and hitters this spring.