Jay Sparks
	Athletic Director sparks_jay@colstate.edu 706-565-3669

Jay Sparks is in his second full year of heading the CSU Athletic Department. He officially stepped into his new role as Athletic Director in April of 2008, moving up from the position of assistant athletic director at Columbus State - a post he had held since 1999. He has had oversight the expansion of the CSU program with four new sports beginning in the 2009-10 school year, and has joined with University President Dr. Tim Mescon in planning for the future of CSU and its athletic programs.

Sparks was the man chosen to start the CSU women's basketball program in 1989 and led the program to national notoriety.  A native of Columbus, he graduated from Brookstone High School in 1976 where he was a standout athlete. He was voted Most Valuable Player in baseball, team captain in basketball, and was the recipient of the Golden Helmet Award in football. His baseball prowess earned him a scholarship to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) where he played for four years. During his career, Sparks was named Freshman Pitcher of the Year, threw two no-hitters, a one-hitter, was voted team captain for his junior and senior years and earned a place on the All-Tennessee Team in his senior year. Before coming to Columbus State, Sparks coached girls' basketball at Hardaway High School in Columbus from 1980-84 and boy's basketball at his alma mater, Brookstone, from 1985-86. He compiled a 63-39 record while at Hardaway, and a 13-15 record at Brookstone.

Sparks has been married to his wife Cindy for 29 years and have two children, Emily and Bentley.  Emily currently lives in Birmingham, AL while working for her alma mater, Samford University.  Bentley, a 2010 graduate of Berry College, is currently enrolled in CSU's School of Education working towards his M.Ed. in Health and Physical Education.  He will also serve as a graduate assistant for the men's basketball program.  The family attends First Baptist Church of Columbus. In his free time, Sparks enjoys golfing, working in his yard, and watching sports on television.