Chief Instructor


Blue Belt Masters World Champion


Purple Belt Masters World Champion


Pan Am Black Belt Silver Medal Open Weight Division

Rick with his BJJ instructor, Soneca

BJJ

JudoblackJ3

  Dr. Richard B. Sparks

  • BJJ Black Belt with Three Degrees (IBJJF Certified)
    • 2 Time Champion, many time medalist, international masters level BJJ
    • IBJJF Certified BJJ Referee
    • TN BJJ Federation Board of Advisors 2007-2013
    • TN BJJ Federation Chief Referee 2007-2013
  • Judo Sandan (3rd Degree Black Belt, USJA Certified)
    • Judo National Championship Silver Medalist
    • Multiple times regional champion and medalist
    • Certified Judo Referee
    • Silver Life Member USJA
  • Additional Style Ranks include:
    • Blackbelt Shingitai Jujitsu
    • Blackbelt TaeKwonDo
    • Blackbelt Hapkido
    • Blackbelt Goshin Jiujitsu
  • Over 20 years martial arts coaching experience
  • Co-developer of Ethical Martial Arts Training System (EMAT)
  • DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine)
  • PhD in Radiation Dosimetry Physcis
  • MS, and BS in Biomedical Engineering
  • MA in Philosophy
  • MBA
  • Scientist with over 80 peer reviewed articles/abstracts.
  • Served as Captain, Nuclear Medicine Science Officer, United States Army Reserve
  • Owner CDE Dosimetry Services, Inc.

 

  Most Notable BJJ Competition Results:

  • 2011 Pan American Black Belt Seniors Silver Medalist Open Weight
  • 2008 Pan American Brown Belt Seniors Bronze Medalist
  • 2007 Pan American Brown Belt Seniors Silver Medalist
  • 2007 Campeonato Internacional de Master e Senior (AKA Masters Worlds) Brown Belt Bronze Medalist
  • 2005 Campeonato Internacional de Master e Senior (AKA Masters Worlds) Purple Belt Champion
  • 2005 Campeonato Internacional de Master e Senior (AKA Masters Worlds) Open Weight Purple Belt Silver Medalist
  • 2005 Pan American Purple Belt Seniors Bronze Medalist
  • 2004 Tennessee State Champion (Masters Purple Belt Open Weight)
  • 2004 Campeonato Internacional de Master e Senior (AKA Masters Worlds) Blue Belt Champion

   Black Belt Judo Competition Results:

  • 2011 National Championship Silver Medal Black Belt Masters (73 kg)
  • 2011 Tennessee State Silver Medal Black Belt Masters (<81 kg, fought at 70kg)
  • 2010 UT Inviational Gold Medal Black Belt Masters (<81 kg, fought at 70kg)
  • 2010 UT Invitational Silver Medal Black Belt Adult (73 kg)
  • 2010 North Carolina State Championship Gold Medal Black Belt Adult Div (73 kg)
  • 2010 North Carolina State Championship Gold Medal Black Belt Masters Division Lightweight (<81 kg, fought at 70kg)

Judo: Seniors = Adult
BJJ: Seniors = Masters

 

Full Bio

My Instructors and Lineage

Some Pictures From Competition

Friends and Legends I Have Met (Pictures)

Certifications

My Small Appearance in Grappling Magazine

My Appearance in the Helio Soneca Interview by Tinguinha

 

 

Instructor

 

x


BJJ 

Judo

 

Jason Roberts

  • BJJ Blue through Black belt received from Rick Sparks
  • Judo Yellow - Green belt received from Edmon Begoli
  • Judo Brown and Black Belt received from Rick Sparks

Notable Competition Results:

BJJ

  • 2011 Tennessee State Championship Gold Medalist Gi
  • 2011 Smokey Mountain Open Gold Medalist Gi

Judo

  • 2007 UT Invitational Gold Medal

 

Instructor

BJJ 

Judo

 

Wes Franks

  • BJJ Blue through Black belt received from Rick Sparks
  • Judo Black Belt received from Rick Sparks and Michael Carter
  • Ikkyu received from Edmon Begoli
  • MS Sports Medicine
  • MS Physical Therapy
  • Board Certified Orthopedic Physical Therapist

 

 


 


 

 

 

Co-Chief Instructor Emeritus

BJJ

Judo

 

Dr. Michael Carter

  • Judo Yondan (4th degree black belt) USJA (since 1998)
  • BJJ Black Belt
  • 6 Time Southeastern Judo Champion
  • 2 Time State Wrestling Silver Medalist
  • Trustee Life Member of United States Judo Association
  • Judo Coach for 25 years
  • Previous Certifications include:
    • Senior Judo Coach
    • Judo Referee
    • Nage-no-kata instructor
  • Former Wrestling Coach
  • Co-developer of Ethical Martial Arts Training System (EMAT)
  • Additional Various JuJitsu Style Ranks include:
    • Shingitai Jujitsu Godan (5th degree black belt) awarded (2000) by JohnSaylor
    • Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu Brown Belt from Paul Carter and Kawabe Sensei
  • PhD in Education
    • Concentration: Educational Psychology
    • Specialization: Applied Educational Psychology
    • Emphasis: Human Learning and Development
    • Dissertation: Reasoning for Wisdom in Emotional Education
  • Instructor (assistant> associate> tenured) of Psychology for 9 Years
  • Owner of Carter Consulting (teaching and coaching personal leadership)

 

Notable Competition Results:

  • 6 Time Southeastern Judo Champion
  • 2 Time State Wrestling Silver Medalist
  • Too many local, state, and regional Judo championships to list
  • 2008 Helio Soneca BJJ Tournament Champion

 


 

 

 

Instructor Emeritus


Gavin with Royler Gracie

 

BJJ 

Dr. Gavin Enck

  • Black belt received from Rolyer Gracie and Rosendo Diaz
  • Collegiate Wrestler
  • PhD Philosophy: Medical Ethics

 

 

Instructor Emeritus

 


BJJ 

Judo

 

Chris Miller

  • BJJ Blue through Black belt received from Rick Sparks
  • BJJ Green belt received from Samuel Braga
  • Judo Green belt received from Michael Carter

Notable BJJ Competition Results:

  • 2012 Smokey Mountain Open Gold Medal Gi
  • 2010 Smokey Mountain Open Bronze Medal Gi
  • 2009 Tennessee State Championship Silver Medalist Gi

Wrestling

  • Regional Bronze Medalist
  • Gold and Bronze Tournament Victories
  • 90-20 overall record

 

 

Instructor Emeritus

BJJ 

Judo

 

John Miller

  • BJJ Purple through Black belt received from Rick Sparks
  • BJJ Blue belt received from Helio Soneca
  • Judo Brown belt received from Rick Sparks

 

Judo Competition Results:

  • Tennessee State Championship Silver Medal


 


 

 

 

Students: Hall of Champions

 


BJJ 

 

Doug Smith

  • BJJ Black Belt given by Rick Sparks and Samuel Braga
  • BJJ Brown Belt given by Samuel Braga
  • BJJ Purple Belt given by Rick Sparks
  • BJJ Blue Belt given by Rickson Gracie

Notable Competition Results:

BJJ

  • 1996 LA Open Champion

 

 

 

 

x

BJJx 

 

Justin Headrick

  • BJJ Purple belt received from Rick Sparks
  • Blue belt received from Rick Sparks

 

Notable BJJ Competition Results:

  • 2011 Tennessee State Championship Silver Medalist Gi
  • 2010 Tennessee State Championship Gold Medalist No-Gi Advanced
  • 2010 Smokey Mountain Open Gold Medal No-Gi Advanced
  • 2009 Smokey Moutain Open No-Gi Champion
  • 2009 Smokey Moutain Open Gi Silver Medalist
  • 2008 Tennessee State BJJ Silver Medalist


 


 

 

 

 

 

BJJ 

 

Brad McGuire

  • BJJ Purple belt received from Rick Sparks
  • BJJ Blue belt received from Rick Sparks

Notable Competition Results:

BJJ

  • 2014 Tennessee State Championship Gold Medalist Gi

 

 

 

BJJ 

 

Kayla Stephens

  • Blue belt received from Rick Sparks

Notable BJJ Competition Results:

  • 2011 Tennessee State Championship Silver Medalist Gi
  • 2010 Tennessee State Championship Gold Medalist Gi
  • 2010 Smokey Mountain Open Gold Medal Gi
  • 2009 Tennessee State Championship Gold Medalist Gi

 

 

 

 

BJJ 

 

Darla Oringderff

  • Purple belt received from Rick Sparks
  • Blue belt received from Rick Sparks

Notable Competition Results:

BJJ

  • 2011 Tennessee State Championship Bronze Medal Gi

 

 

 

BJJ 

 

Emily Mannescmidt

  • Blue belt received from Rick Sparks

Notable Competition Results:

BJJ

  • 2011 Smokey Mountain Open Bronze Medal Gi

 

 

 


BJJ 

Judo

 

Alex Basiri

  • BJJ Blue Belt received from Rick Sparks
  • Judo Orange Belt Recieved from Rick Sparks

 

Notable BJJ Competition Results:

  • 2011 Smokey Mountain Open Bronze Medal Gi
  • 2010 Smokey Mountain Open Silver Medal Gi
  • 2008 Tennessee State BJJ Champion
  • 2008 Helio Soneca BJJ Tournament Champion

 

 

 

 

BJJ 

Zack Smitley

  • Blue belt received from Rick Sparks

Notable BJJ Competition Results:

  • 2010 Smokey Mountain Open Gold Medal No-Gi
  • 2010 Smokey Mountain Open Bronze Medal Gi
  • 2009 Tennessee State BJJ Champion No-Gi
  • 2009 Tennessee State BJJ Silver Medalist Gi
  • 2009 Smokey Moutain Open BJJ Gi Champion
  • 2008 Helio Soneca BJJ Tournament Silver Medalist

MMA Record: 1-1

 

 

BJJ 

 

Eric Horton

  • Blue belt received from Rick Sparks

 

Notable BJJ Competition Results:

  • 2009 Tennessee State Championship Gold Medalist
  • 2009 Kentucky BJJ Open Championship Gold Medalist

 

 

 

 

 


BJJ 

Judo

 

Allan Ho

  • Blue belt received from Rick Sparks
  • Judo Brown Belt received from Mike Takata

Notable BJJ Competition Results:

  • 2010 Smokey Mountain Open Gold Medal Gi
  • 2009 EGO Grappling Tournamant Bronze Medalist

Judo Competition Results:

  • 2009 - Waynesville Fall Brawl - 2nd place - Advanced
  • 2008 - Ippon Open - 1st - Novice
  • 2007 - Ippon Open - 3rd place 2 x Divisions - Novice
  • 2006 - UT Martial Arts Club Tournament - 3rd place - Novice
  • 2005 - UT Martial Arts Club Tournament - 1st - Novice
  • 2005 - Waynesville Fall Brawl - 1st place - Novice
  • 2005 - Cumberland Judo Classic - 3rd place - Novice

 

 


BJJ 

Judo

 

Ben Burton

  • BJJ Blue Belt received from Rick Sparks
  • Judo Yellow belt received from Tarek Monier
  • Judo Orange and Green belt received from Rick Sparks and Edmon Begoli
  • Judo Brown Belt received from Rick Sparks

Notable Competition Results:

BJJ

  • 2013 Smokey Mountain Open Gold Medal
  • 2013 Tennessee State BJJ Championship Gold Medal
  • 2013 Battle at the Border Gold Medal, Open Weight, Open Belt
  • 2011 Smokey Mountain Open Bronze Medalist Gi

Judo

  • 2014 Tennessee State Champion
  • 2014 Mayfield's Judo Tournament Gold Medal Masters
  • 2013 Rebel Invitational Gold Medal Masters
  • 2013 UT Invitational Gold Medal Masters
  • 2013 UT Invitational Bronze Medal Adult
  • 2013 Carrol Co. Invitational Gold Medal Masters
  • 2013 Judo Jones Memorial Tournament Gold Medal Masters
  • 2013 PeachTree Judo Tournament Silver Medal Masters
  • 2013TN State Judo Championship Silver Medal Masters
  • 2012 UT Regional Masters Gold Medal
  • 2012 UT Regional Adult Bronze Medal
  • 2012 Yellowhill Judo Masters Advanced Silver Medal
  • 2012 Yellowhill Judo Adult Gold Medal
  • 1996 TN State Judo Championships 4th Place
  • 1995 ETSU Tournament Gold Medal
  • 1995 Waynesville Gold Medal

MMA Record: 4-3

 

 

BJJ 

 

Brad Wilcox

  • Blue belt received from Rick Sparks

Notable BJJ Competition Results:

  • 2010 Tennessee State Championship Silver Medalist Gi
  • 2010 Smokey Mountain Open Gold Medal No-Gi
  • 2010 NAGA National BJJ Championships Bronze Medalist

 

 

 

BJJ 

 

Darryl Lawson

  • Blue belt received from Rick Sparks

Notable BJJ Competition Results:

  • 2010 Tennessee State Championship Silver Medalist Gi
  • 2010 Smokey Mountain Open Bronze Medal Gi

 

 

 

BJJ 

 

Dan Hoggatt

  • Blue belt received from Rick Sparks

Notable Competition Results:

BJJ

  • 2011 Smokey Mountain Open Silver Medal No-Gi
  • 2011 Smokey Mountain Open Bronze Medal Gi
  • 2010 Tennessee State Championship Gold Medalist No-Gi
  • 2010 Smokey Mountain Open Gold Medal No-Gi
  • 2010 Smokey Mountain Open Bronze Medal Gi
  • 2009 Tennessee State Championship Bronze Medalist Gi
  • 2009 Tennessee State Championship Bronze Medalist No-Gi
  • 2009 Smokey Moutain Open Silver Medalist
  • 2009 Kentucky BJJ Open Championship Bronze Medalist

Wrestling

  • 2004 Blount County Champion
  • 2004 All County
  • 2003 Blount County Silver Medalist

MMA Record: 1-1

 

 

 

BJJ 

 

Richard Eggers

  • Blue belt received from Rick Sparks

Notable Competition Results:

BJJ

  • 2011 Tennessee State Championship Gold Medalist Gi
  • 2011 Tennessee State Championship Bronze Medalist No-Gi
  • 2011 Smokey Mountain Open Gold Medal Gi
  • 2011 Smokey Mountain Open Bronze Medal No-Gi

 

 

 

Bo


BJJ 

JudoblackJudo

 

Bo Willis

  • Judo Black Belt received in Japan
  • Judo Yellow through Brown Belt received from Edmon Begoli

Notable Competition Results:

Judo

  • 2012 UT Regional Adult Silver Medal
  • 2012 Yellowhill Judo Adult Bronze Medal

 


BJJ 

Judo

 

Alexis Joy Smerdon

  • Judo Yellow belt received from Rick Sparks

Notable Competition Results:

Judo

  • UT Regional Adult Gold Medal 2014
  • UT Regional Adult Silver Medal 2014 (+1 Weight Class)
  • UT Class Tournament Champion 2014

 

Picture Coming Soon


BJJ 

Judo

 

Jason Hill

Notable Competition Results:

Judo

  • UT Regional Adult Silver Medal 2014

 

Other Students:

  • Jackie Armstrong (Three Stripe)
  • Matt Russ
  • Paris Cornwell

  • Greg Wenndt (Blue Belt given by Rick Sparks)
  • Bryan Dwyer (Retired: One Stripe Blue Belt, Judo Black Belt) [Blue Belt by Rick Sparks]
  • Dennis Wright (Blue Belt, Judo Black Belt) [Blue Belt Given by Rick Sparks]
  • Mark Dye (Blue Belt with One Stripe) [Blue Belt Given by Brad Hatcher]
  • Adam Treadway (Blue Belt, Judo Brown Belt) [Blue Belt Given by Rick Sparks]
  • Patrick Caylor (Blue Belt) [Blue Belt Given by Rick Sparks]
  • Cody Hudson (Blue Belt) [Blue Belt Given by Rick Sparks]
  • Josh Carpenter (Blue Belt given by Rick Sparks)

  • Aaron Shugart-Brown (Three Stripe White Belt, Judo Black Belt)
  • Braden Wenndt (Three Stripe White Belt)
  • Trey Horton (Three Stripe White Belt)
  • Derrick Giles (Two Stripe White Belt)
  • Jeremy Teffeteller (Two Stripe White Belt)
  • Nick Barringer (Two Stripe White Belt)
  • Nathan Pruess (Two Stripe White Belt)
  • Adam Shastid (Two Stripe White Belt)
  • Gavin Ridley (Two Stripe White Belt)
  • Anatoliy Aksanov (One Stripe White Belt)
  • Greg Ostermeyer (One Stripe White Belt)
  • Nathan Crowe (One Stripe White Belt)
  • Tim Willis (One Stripe White Belt)
  • Johnny Diggs (One Stripe White Belt)
  • Matt Miller (One Stripe White Belt)
  • Kent Johnson (One Stripe White Belt, Wrestler, Wrestling Coach)
  • Scott Campbell (One Stripe White Belt, Judo Black Belt)
  • Joseph Dwyer (One Stripe White Belt)
  • Mark Treadway (One Stripe White Belt, Judo Orange Belt)
  • Wiley Rabinowitz (One Stripe White Belt)
  • Nick Bohannon (One Stripe White Belt From Chris Fields)
  • Denise Borrelli (One Stripe White Belt)
  • Josh Richards (One Stripe White Belt)
  • Jake McMillan (One Stripe White Belt)
  • Eric Smerdon (Three Stripe White Belt)
  • Josh Huffstetler (Two Stripe White Belt)
  • Jason Hill (Two Stripe White Belt)
  • Mike Chopin (One Stripe White Belt)

PLEASE NOTE: Students will be added to this list when they obtain the rank of one stripe white belt