George B. Sparkman Jr.

George Bascom Sparkman Jr. (January 31, 1886 – July 7, 1924) was an American football player and coach, once a key figure in Florida athletics.[1] Sparkman played and later coached at Hillsborough High School in Tampa, posting wins over rival St. Pete.[1][2][3] Among his pupils at Hillsborough High were Dutch Stanley and Speedy Walker. Sparkman assisted the 1919 Florida Gators football team.[4] He played for coach Mike Donahue's Auburn Tigers football team in 1908. He possibly saved a touchdown by recovering a fumble against Sewanee at the 2-yard line.[5] He also ran for a 65-yard touchdown against Georgia Tech.[6] Sparkman died at the age of just 38 of tetanus.[1]

George B. Sparkman
Biographical details
Born(1886-01-31)January 31, 1886
Tampa, Florida
DiedJuly 7, 1924(1924-07-07) (aged 38)
Miami, Florida
Playing career
1908Auburn
Position(s)End/Halfback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
?Hillsborough High School
1919Florida (assistant)
1923Hillsborough High School

Early years

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George Bascom Sparkman Jr. was born to George Sr., an attorney and mayor of Tampa, and Mary Elizabeth Kershaw on January 31, 1886. He married Pearl Luther of Albertville, Alabama.[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Geo. Sparkman's Death is Loss To Florida Athletics". The Miami News. July 9, 1924.
  2. ^ "Hillsborough Terriers". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
  3. ^ "Hillsborough Too Strong For St. Petersburg Team". The Evening Independent. October 22, 1923.
  4. ^ "Nightshirt Parade Celebrates Mercer's 48 to 0 Defeat". The Florida Alligator. October 24, 1919.
  5. ^ "Auburn Downs Mountain Men", Montgomery Advertiser, October 25, 1908.
  6. ^ "Auburn Beats Yellow Jackets". Atlanta Constitution. November 8, 1908. p. 4. Retrieved September 10, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.  
  7. ^ "UF Digital Collections".