Date Posted: 8/17/2006

Nashville, Tenn. – Belmont University head women’s basketball coach Tony Cross recently announced the addition of Yvette Sparks to the Bruins’ staff of assistant coaches. She will serve as the program’s travel coordinator as well as assist in recruiting and player development.

“I am excited about the addition of Yvette to our staff because of the several levels of college basketball experience she will bring to our program,” said Cross. “She has a strong appreciation for Belmont and the type of program we have here.”

Sparks comes to Belmont from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania after a two-year stint as an assistant coach. During her tenure, she helped the Fighting Scots to three appearances at the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Tournament (2004, 2005), including a second-place finish in 2006. The team also earned a bid to the NCAA Tournament the same year.

Prior to joining the Edinboro program, she served as the head coach at Malone College in Canton, Ohio from 2001-03. She led the Pioneers to a 37-23 record during her two seasons, including a 24-7 finish in 2001-02. Malone made it’s first-ever trip to the NAIA National Tournament after finishing third in the American Mideast Conference with a 16-4 record. Sparks was named the NCCAA East Region Coach of the Year following the 2001-02 campaign.

Prior to taking over the Malone program, Sparks served as an assistant coach at Valdosta State University from 1996-2001. The 1996-97 team won the Gulf South Conference East Division championship and earned a spot in the NCAA Division II South Regional, finishing with a 20-7 mark. With Sparks at the helm as interim head coach during the 1999-2000 season, VSU led the nation in blocks shots and rebounds.

A graduate of Clearwater Christian College in 1994, Sparks holds a B.S. in Physical Education. She was a four-year letterwinner in both basketball and volleyball. She also earned a Master’s in Sports Science from Valdosta State in 1998.