Indiana State University Athletics

Dr. Raymond E. Sparks could rightfully be called the "Father of Collegiate Wrestling" in this country and certainly holds that distinction at Indiana State University.

Sparks participated in several sports while attending ISU in the late 20's and quarterbacked Coach Wally Marks' first football team at the school in 1927.

Dr. Sparks has held several positions related to athletics and education, including coaching at both the high school and collegiate levels, coordinator of athletics for the Department of Defense in Europe, and chairman of the Department of Physical Education at Lowell Technological Institute.

Honored by Indiana State as a Distinguished Alumni in 1983, Sparks was inducted into the wrestling "Hall of Fame" in 1958.  In 1930 he won the Indiana State Gillum Award for combined athletic and academic excellence.

Sparks has served on the U. S. Olympic Wrestling Committee, chairman of the NCAA wrestling rules committee and secretary of the national A. A. U. wrestling committee.  In 1981 he was presented the Max Rappoport Award, the highest honor presented by Wrestling USA Magazine for contribution to that sport.

• Indiana State University Gillum Medal Winner for Scholarship and Athletics (1930) 

• Wrestling Hall of Fame inductee (1958) 

• Indiana State University Distinguished Alumni (1983) 

• Inducted into Hall of Fame February 3, 1984