Lessons of the Game: The Betrayal of an All-American Football Star

Payoffs (under the table cash), grade tampering , eligibility scandals, illegal recruitment tactics, lies, deception and immorality are all a continuous part of this real life story.

It shows the twisted nature of coaches, administrators, and family, hell-bent on winning while ambivalent to the academic and personal development of the student athlete.

Derek Sparks shows us what it takes to keep a dream alive, in this story of his transfer to four different high schools in four different years. He faces the challenges of loneliness, temptation, ostracism, while living in a gang-land enviroment. He also fights a desperate battle to prove his eligibility, while protecting his scholarship offers, and acheive qualifying SAT scores even after an insidious vow from his coaches: "YOU'LL NEVER PLAY ORGANIZED FOOTBALL AGAIN!"

Derek's story delivers a message to today's students seeking a future in athletics, or to the average student seeking a future in life. It tells of the wisdom and maturity a 21st century student must have to steer their way through a maze of manipulators and opportunists.

Through his mistakes and his successes, Derek conveys his testimony with a vision of a better way. END

Derek Sparks was recruited from a poverty stricken, drug infested small town in Texas to play football for southern California's most prestigious athletic programs. He made his mark as one of the top high school prospects in the country by accomplishing some honorable awards: 1. Californias Sophmore player of the year 2. LA Times Running back of the year. 3. Best in The West 4. LA Times Terrific 22 Award. 5. All-American Team.

He then accepted a full athletic scolarship to "Washington State University" and became the first to graduate in his family from college in 1996.

After a short lived professional career he then founded a motivational company. With the focus on the youth of America.

Derek volenteers his time, coaching skills,and experiences to chariable organizations and youth programs.