Sparta High School - Class of 1974
1996 Inductee
Baseball - Varsity, 3 years
All Conference Sophomore and Senior years
Batted .471 as a Sophomore
Pitched 5 no-hitters throughout his career
Football - Varsity, 3 years
All Conference Quarterback Junior and Senior years
Captain, Senior year
Threw for 2000 yards in two years
Most Valuable Player -Senior Year
Senior Athlete of the Year, 1974 (James Warren Award)
After graduation, Cal attended Grand Rapids Junior College and then went on to work as a brick mason, working in both Texas and Michigan. He married Kathy Mroz in 1978, and they have three children:Â Scott, Sarah, and Stacey. They wer both avid sport spectators, encouraging their children in their school sports. Cal remembered what it was like to have supportive parents, who had a big influence on him by setting positive examples.
Cal's involvement in sports became primarily as a coach for his children's teams. He has served as president of the Sparta Rocket Football program and vice president of the Sparta Little League program. Cal and Kathy were members of sparta's Rebuilding Football Tradition Committee. Cal explains that he is involved with the athletic programs to help provided a positive role model for student athletes. He remembers how words of encouragement from his coaches strongly affected him.
Cal enjoys bow hunting and makes his own arrows. He loves the out of doors and spends quality time walking in the woods and communing with nature.
Words of Encouragement:
"Remember to give your best effort. Don't short change yourselves. Only you know if you gave your all, and you'll be your toughest critic later in life."