Sam Ketchman

Sam first came back to Sparta back in 1937 to take over the coaching assignment of the Spartan football team. He also supervised baseball and track. He came at a time when football locally seemed to be at its lowest ebb. However, during his stay at Sparta for some four years, the teams he coached during that period won twenty six games, tied three and lost only five. In 1938, the team won co-championship  honors in 1939, 1940, and 1941. 

The track team, under Sam's guidance also won the Ken-Owa League Championship for three years and won the Class "C" Regional Championship at Houseman Field in Grand Rapids. 

Just when the stage was set for continued higher football honors, Coach Ketchman was called to active duty and was sent to Selfridge Field, where he became a first lieutenant in the Cavalry Reserves.

Previous to his Sparta assignment, Sam had been a member of the Michigan State football squad for three seasons, winning two varsity letters. In his last year of college football, he was voted the most valuable member of Coach Charley Bachman's team. This honor carried with it a Governor of Michigan Award. 

After leaving the military in 1946, Sam worked as a teacher and coach for East Lansing High School and Wayne State University. He was called back to active duty and served at USAF Bolling Air Force Base, then worked for Ferris Institute, Ferris State College Athletic Department, the Kansas City Royals Baseball Academy, and Athletic Enterprises. 

Sam was married to Hildred Ivey, USAF nurse on March 7, 1941. They were married for 49 years before Hildred passed away in 1991. Their daughter Jean Ann lives in Sarasota and grand daughter, Jacki Ketchman is a nurse in Tampa General Hospital. 

Sam always worked to promote high school and college sports. He says, "If you are willing to pay the price, irregardless of what the odds are, you will be successful in sports and life. There is no substitute for hustle, enthusiasm and the desire to excel."