High School Ran for Coach Jimmy Galloway (CC) and Doak Markley (Track) at Williamstown High School in WV... Earned varsity letters in cross country (4) and track (4)...Team won 2007 West Virginia Class A State Track Championship...Team Captain (2008)

Off the field Derek is the son of Paul and Gayle Sparks and majors in Sports Management...He likes chocolate milk, hot wings, the Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cleveland Indians, West Virginia and Michigan State athletics...His favorite food is "Spaghetti"...favorite movie is "Step Brothers"...favorite celebrity is "Will Ferrell"...favorite sports teams is the "Boston Celtics"...favorite athlete is "Bernard Lagat"...and favorite color is "green."

Why did you choose D&E? "Because they made me feel at home and wanted."