The Sparkman bowling team has continuously performed well in games, with the boys’ team winning the 6A/7A North Regional title and the girls’ team being awarded state runner-up in 2023. But now, the senators have a new head coach leading them to victory this season.

Coach Lisa Ivey stepped down as head coach of Sparkman bowling, having coached the sport since 2016. Coach Cedrick Austin is now taking the reins as the new head coach. 

 “I wanted to get back into coaching and to positively impact lives,” Austin said.

Austin picked up bowling as a hobby after college. Before that, he enjoyed watching one of his favorite basketball players, Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul, bowl.

Coach Austin’s coaching was influenced by Geno Auriemma, an American women’s basketball coach, and his college basketball coach, Jason Shelton. As a player, Austin was guided by his superhero, his father. Austin grew up with sports, watching his father play football.

 “I learned to finish what you start, going into the real world and with sports,” Austin said.

After playing basketball during his high school career at Sparkman, later at Freed-Hardeman University, Austin came back home to Sparkman to coach girls’ basketball for thirteen years, helping the team achieve three state championship wins and six final four appearances. 

Remembering one of his early years playing basketball, Austin said that during his junior year of high school, he was not getting as much play time on the court. This challenged him to work harder to prepare for his opportunity to be on the court. This momentum gave Austin the drive to make a game-winning layup in the 2005 Huntsville Times Classic, Sparkman defeating Madison Academy with a score of 45-43.

At first, Austin wanted to play basketball overseas at the professional level and fulfill his desire to travel the world. However, he had a calling and decided to pursue teaching, a passion for which he has always had. 

“I wanted to be a positive influence on young people and teach them to lead by example,” Austin said

Coach Austin has inspired students even when not coaching. Teaching health at Sparkman, he has instilled skills in students and players alike. He hopes to instill in others the great attributes of being a good person and teammate, believing in themselves, and putting their best foot forward.

“I hoped to be remembered as someone they respect but also has their best interest at heart,”