Joe Sparhawk '01 has been named the Mount St. Joseph University Associate Director of Athletics, by Director of Athletics Melanee Wagener. The announcement coming after he served in that role on an interim basis during the 2020-21 academic year. 

"We are extremely happy to officially move Joe into a full-time administrative role going forward" Said Wagener. "He has been a vital part of our athletics department here for a very long time, and really stepped up over the last year to help us during Covid."

"First I would like to thank Melanee Wagener and the search committee for giving me this opportunity to be in a leadership role in the athletic department.  I am very excited to have the opportunity to continue to work with all of the coaches on staff." said Sparhawk.

Sparhawk has been a member of the Mount Community and Athletics Department since he stepped on campus as a freshman football player back in 1997. After finishing his playing career for the Lions, he immediately began to serve on the football coaching staff. 

"I have been a coach my entire career and I know all the emotions coaches go thru on a day-to-day basis.  I am excited to take the experiences I've had and help them in any way I can to be even more successful coaches than they already are," he added.

After graduating from The Mount in 2001, he attended Xavier University where he earned his master's degree in sports administration in 2003. 

Joe has worn many hats during his two decades of service at The Mount including, coaching football, running intramural sports, and most recently coaching both men's and women's golf programs. 

Now shifting to a full-time administration role was a natural progression for Sparhawk, after performing so many different duties within the department. 

"My college coach Ron Corradini always used to say that each day is a new day and you never stay the same.  You either get a little bit better or a little bit worse. For 24 years I've kept that saying in the back of my mind.  I believe MSJ, as a whole, is moving in a great direction and getting "a little bit better each day"!  I'm excited to help guide the athletics programs in that same direction!" said Sparhawk. 

"I am really looking forward to getting to know all of the student-athletes throughout the athletic department.  I want the student-athletes to know that we are here to support and help them become the best student-athletes they can possibly be."

Sparhawk graduated from the Mount in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and obtained his master’s degree in sports administration from Xavier University in 2003. He and his wife, Tiffany, son, Jon, and daughters, Ryann and Harper, reside in Lawrenceburg, IN.