Valparaiso men’s basketball coach Homer Drew announced today that former Crusader player Chris Sparks has been brought in as an assistant coach.  Sparks will fill the coaching vacancy left by Jason Hawkins, who has stepped away from coaching in order to focus full-time on gaining his master’s degree from Valparaiso.

Sparks has spent the past two years coaching the Canterbury Rams of the New Zealand National Basketball League.  In 2006, he was an NBL Coach of the Year finalist.  Sparks also has experience volunteer coaching with Athletes in Action squads, which he began doing in 2002.

Sparks spent two seasons on the court as a Crusader from 1998-2000.  He saw action in 22 games off the bench over his two years, helping Valpo win Mid-Con regular season and tournament championships both years, as well as making two appearances in the NCAA Tournament.