ShareSaints Coach Mike Sparago Inducted Into NY State High School Hall of Fame
2011-03-07
Coach Sparago with sons Charlie (left) and Jack
Congratulations to Coach Mike Sparago for being named to the New York State High School Hockey Hall of Fame, class of 2010-11. He is the first downstate player to receive this prestigious award. Mike Sparago is a rarity- an outstanding hockey player who played three sports in high school and excelled in all three. This Suffern HS graduate started on Suffern's renowned varsity hockey team as an eighth grader, being
only the second eighth grader to ever make the team. Mike played 4 years of varsity hockey for Coach John Orlando and along the way was voted All County 3 times. He wound up being the 7th leading point scorer and 4th All Time
leader in goals for the Mounties. In 1980, while still competing in high school, Mike was selected by the United States Olympic Committee to play in the 16
years and under Best 100 Players Showcase.
During the Fall season Mike played football. He was a two year starter for the Mounties and was voted All County HM by the Journal News. That year he was the 4th leading rusher in Rockland County.
In the spring Mike played lacrosse for the Mounties and Coach Orlando. He was a 4 year starter on Suffern's highly successful varsity team and was selected 2nd team All County in his Jr.year and First Team All County as a senior.
After Mike graduated from Suffern HS in 1982, he joined the Sioux City Musketeers of the United States Junior Hockey League and played with them through 1984. During that time he was selected as a first team league All Star and scored 54 goals and 36 assists in the games that he played.Also in 1984 Mike was selected to play for the USA in the World Junior Cup in Switzerland where the USA team were the GOLD MEDAL winners.
For his efforts on the USA team, Mike earned a hockey scholarship to Ferris State University in Michigan, that competes in the Division 1 NCAA Central Collegiate Hockey Association. Mike was a three year starter and
graduated with a degree in business from Ferris State.
Mike continued his hockey career by being invited to the training camp of the St. Louis Blues of the NHL. After training he signed with the Virginia Lancers of the Atlantic Coast Hockey League, a class A professional team. In his rookie year, Mike was 4th on the team in scoring with 26 goals and 48 assists in the 41 games he played in and helped them to the ACHL Championships. For his efforts he was named "Rookie of the Year" of the Atlantic Coast Hockey League.
Now retired from competitive hockey, Mike works as a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley and lives in Hohokus, NJ. Mike is married to his wife Deborah. They have 3 children, Jack 9, Lindsay 7 and Charles 5. He spends his time coaching youth hockey at Sportorama and football in Bergen County.
Mike Sparago was one of the best players ever to come out of the downstate area.
Mike is also a member of the Suffern HS Athletic Hall of Fame and the Rockland County Hall of Fame.
The induction to the Hall of Fame will take place on Saturday, March 12, 2011 at the NYS High School Hockey Championships Final Four at the AUD in Utica, NY.
Submitted by
John Orlando
VP NYSHSHCA
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