University of Massachusets Athletics
Matt Sparks Honored as 21st Century Leader at Commencement
April 26, 2016 | Football
AMHERST, Mass. -- University of Massachusetts will honor the exemplary achievement, initiative and leadership of some of its most talented and accomplished graduating seniors as 21st Century Leaders, including football's Matt Sparks, during Undergraduate Commencement on Friday, May 6, at McGuirk Alumni Stadium, at 4:30 p.m.
Sparks, a civil and environmental engineering major from Mililani, Hawai'i, will graduate with a cumulative GPA of 3.8. Athletics' selection as the 2015 Fall Male Scholar-Athlete, he was a two-time Mid-American Conference Distinguished Scholar-Athlete and a three-time Academic All-MAC selection, one of just nine three-time honorees recognized in 2015.
Sparks played 40 career games at center, anchoring the offensive line and working with All-MAC quarterback Blake Frohnapfel. Under Sparks' guidance in 2015, the offensive line blocked for Frohnapfel's 2,919 passing yards and 16 touchdowns in the air. Additionally, the UMass offense rushed for 1,700 yards and 15 touchdowns while the receiving corps racked up 3,090 yards.
During his time in Amherst, Sparks also mentored students at the Holyoke Boys and Girls Club and served meals at the Soldiers Home in Holyoke. He will work at the engineering consulting firm of Tighe & Bond, taking on water and wastewater issues.
Football season tickets are on sale now by calling the UMass Athletics Ticket Office at 1866-UMASS-TIX, visiting the Mullins Center Ticket Office (9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.) or by clicking here.
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