GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - After seven years as Calvin's head baseball coach, John Sparks has elected to step down from the position.

Sparks will remain at Calvin as a full-time faculty member within the school's Kinesiology Department.

In his seven years as Calvin's baseball coach, Sparks compiled a won-loss record of 152-133. He led Calvin to four 20-win seasons and one 30-win campaign. The 30-win campaign came in 2008 when he led the Knights to a school-record 32 victories as Calvin captured the MIAA title and advanced to the NCAA III Tournament. This spring, he led Calvin to a 28-16 record, matching Calvin's second-highest win total in school history.

Picked to finish fourth in the 2014 MIAA preseason poll, Calvin finished second in the final MIAA regular season standings and advanced to the MIAA Tournament championship game.

Sparks came to Calvin after spending six years as the head baseball coach at Tabor College - an NAIA institution located in Hillsborough, Kansas.

"This is a decision that I have been contemplating for some time," said Sparks who hails from Coldwater and is a graduate of Grove City College (Pa.). "Several factors entered into my decision but probably the biggest was my young family and the time spent away from them pursuing coaching. I am grateful to have the opportunity to continue to teach full-time at Calvin and have a more regular schedule with my family."

Although he is looking forward to spending more time with his family, Sparks admits that leaving his coaching post behind is bittersweet. "I have been so blessed to coach the student-athletes at Calvin over the last seven years and I will miss the interaction with the Calvin baseball team," said Sparks. "Developing relationships and mentoring young men has been extremely rewarding and something that I will definitely miss."

Calvin's director of men's athletics Dr. Jim Timmer praised Sparks for his service to Calvin and specifically to the school's baseball program. "I would like to applaud and thank John Sparks for his service and dedication to the Calvin baseball program," said Timmer. "He has achieved success on the field but more importantly he has been a terrific role model for our student-athletes. This decision was completely his own and we are sad to see him leave this (coaching) position. At the same time, we are excited that he will remain on our faculty to continue to mentor and instruct Calvin College students."

According to Timmer, a search for a replacement for Sparks will begin immediately.

JOHN SPARKS YEAR BY YEAR COACHING RECORD AT CALVIN COLLEGE

2014 - 28-16 (18-10 MIAA, 2nd place)
2013 - 16-25 (15-13 MIAA, 4th place)
2012 - 15-25 (9-19 MIAA, 6th place)
2011 - 20-20 (15-13 MIAA, 3rd place)
2010 - 18-20 (15-13 MIAA, 4th place)
2009 - 23-17 (20-8 MIAA, 2nd place)
2008 - 32-10 (23-5 MIAA, 1st place)