THE END OF AN ERA A tribute to Coach Spar Spar, We would like to thank you for the past 30+ years of service as Head Coach, Assistant Coach and Student Athlete at Central Washington University Men’s Basketball and to the community of which you have so honorably served. In a world of total dysfunction of Coaches, programs and teams, you are a true sports icon. Thank you for all the wins that you brought to us but more importantly than wins - Thank you for all the young men’s lives you have touched with your leadership and commitment to seeing each and every one of your players succeed. You are a true gentle giant in the sports arena and our hearts. God bless you on your next venture and we look forward to your 400th win as a University of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanook. - Dan and Cindy Thompson* *The following people have taken their time to send greetings and encouragement to Greg Sparling. They tell the story of a man’s career (not yet completed) of which has he served with distinction. Enjoy!! Son: You have made me very, very proud to be your Father through the years. Thank You, Love Dad I’ve followed Coach the last 10 years and he is truly a good coach and an even better mentor to his players and staff. Coach’s record speaks volumes for itself but does not give a picture of the true greatness of the person and coach he is. My wife and I followed Coach this past year and truly learned the dedication and enormous amount of energy it takes to be a coach and run a program. The amount of comments received on the road in regards to how professional his players and staff are is amazing. He is the epitome of Mr. Wildcat. Coach, I absolutely wish you the very best in your new journey at Alaska-Fairbanks. You have my unwavering support. Please do not hesitate to reach out and ask me for whatever your program needs. - Your brother and friend for life, Dan Thompson Spar took over as head coach my senior year after Gil passed away. I have blocked out a lot of what took place during that time because it is emotionally draining to even think about. I know Spar and his family helped G.E. out a lot during that time. That kind of act transcends sports and shows you that Spar has always put relationships first! Watching how Spar and the Wildcat family handled the tragic death of Gil made me a more empathetic, spiritual, and family oriented person! Spar you’re the man because G.E. became a man! Gil is looking down proud of what you have done for his boy and that’s really what it’s all about!! - Sincerely, Marc Callero P.S. You are still young...the best is yet to come! Dear Spar, we just want you to know how much your long-standing loyalty to the CWU basketball program has meant to us. We’ve enjoyed watching your great coaching relationship with the players over the years, and your skill at developing your players into fine student athletes. Anyone observing you in practice or during games can see the pride and concern you have for them. We are grateful for your outstanding career win-loss record, despite the lack of financial and policy support you have received from CWU. We wish you all the best as you go forward in your career, and hope you will stay in touch. - Gary and Judy Heesacker “What a blessing it was for me to work alongside Coach Spar during my time at CWU. Not only a great coach, but also a great man and friend. Best wishes in your future endeavors big guy and thank you for all you’ve done for me and the CWU community.” Jeff Harada, Head Women’s Basketball coach Cal-State Fullerton When you think of athletics at CWU, not just basketball, you can’t help but picture coach Sparling. What I like most about Spar is not just that he is a great coach, but he is an even better man. Best wishes Spar! - Larry Usher Thank you Greg for your contribution and commitment to our community. You and your family have made a big impact on many that will be remembered for years to come. We wish you great success in your next endeavor. - Sincerely, Your Friends at Anderson Hay. - Mark T. Anderson, CEO / President, Anderson Hay & Grain Co., Inc. As the former athletic director at CWU I was privileged to work with Coach Greg Sparling. When I began my tenure there it became very clear who the coaches and staff turned to as their leader. “Spar”. was the ultimate Wildcat. He bled Crimson and Black. If you had a social get together he was first to help cook burgers, clean up, whatever needed to be done . If he was in town he and his players made it a point to always attend other team’s games. He always put the Athletic program ahead of his personal needs and wants. He was respected and liked by most everyone. Always available to talk at a service club, recruiting function, fundraisers or social events. He did all these selfless acts in addition to running a top notch basketball program through both NAIA and NCAA eras. He played at Central, he assisted there, he coached there. He is Wildcat Athletics. - Jack Bishop, Former CWU Athletic Director
Coach Spar, Thank you for everything you have done for Central Washington University, the CWU Athletic Department and your student athletes. You have lead with high character and integrity and have served as a positive role model and mentor to so many CWU alumni across the country. What a deep impact you have made on so many lives through the course of your career! The relationship you were able to foster with our local community was unprecedented and greatly appreciated by the business community. We wish you all the best in your next adventure. Go get that 400th win! - PJ and Tami Bugni “Spar has outstanding people skills and has no doubt positively influenced countless young men over his career. I’ll always remember that he was the first 4-year coach who reached out to me upon my hiring at YVC in 2005.” - Ray Funk Thank you for 29 years of fun watching you play and coach for CWU. We’ve seen a lot of WINS, watched our kids grow up together in the gym, and made a lot of great memories! - Steve & Anne Sparling and family It has been my great privilege to work with coach Sparling over the last 25 plus years... great person...great coach...loyal friend...I wish him the best of luck moving forward and I will definitely be in touch. - Jeff Reinland, athletic director/head men’s basketball coach, Walla Walla Community College I was fortunate as a young coach to spend three years working with coach Spar at CWU. During those three years we made the NCAA tournament all three seasons. Coach Spar is one of the most genuine people I have met in the coaching business. Since I have left CWU and became a high school head coach and director of AAU programs I have stayed close with coach and helped him recruit players. This year during the season I brought my family 12 year old boy, and twin babies to the game, coach Spar took time to take a pic after the game with my family, which displayed what type of man Coach Spar is. He is a genuinely good man, who cares about those who have been involved with him and the program. I wish the best of luck to coach Spar moving forward at Fairbanks Alaska! although I am a Wildcat at heart, I will now be pulling for the Nooks as well! - Jason Buffum , Physical Education and Health Teacher, Varsity Boys Basketball, Middle School Track, Middle School Volleyball, Go Spuds! “For the past 28 years that I’ve known my uncle, he has had two passions in life: His family and coaching. For 28 years he has gone above and beyond for his players, community, and family. I know he has touched many lives through his service in Ellensburg; the community is a better place because of him...... Uncle Greg, I speak for the whole Grizwald clan when I say, we are so proud of you and we love you!” - Kate (Sparling) Luttrell Thank you Spar! For the great experience, memories and life lessons, ups and downs, tears of frustration and joy! All the best to you. - Jay Thomas, MfG Spar-I owe a lot to you, 5 years of memories that I will hold onto for life, not to mention all the friends. I wouldn’t be the man or the career I do if it wasn’t for the time I spent with you. Can’t wait for the book release, looking forward to watching your new adventure. -Ted Nelson “Spar created a program where everyone felt like family. 22 years removed from playing, I know I could still call him and he would be willing to assist in any way he could. Once a Wildcat always a Wildcat!” - Keith Hennig, Principal, Skyline High School “Thank you Coach Spar for everything you have done for the players, community and the fans! Your dedication and determination to a basketball program that the whole community got behind will be greatly missed. However, your next adventure will give us the opportunity to see you continue to do what you love. We will be watching and cheering you on as you change the lives of even more athletes. - The Pernaa Family