Sara (Hull) Bjorkman

Basketball: Played all four years (Varsity -  Sophomore, Junior, and Senior years)

1992 - Grand Rapids press honorable Mention

1992 - Advance All-Area North Basketball Team

1993 - Detroit Free Press All-State Class B Special Mention

1993 - Detroit News All-State Class B Honorable Mention

1993 - Advance All-Area North Girls Basketball

1993 - Grand Rapids Press Third Team

1993 - OK White Top Ten of all categories 

1994 - Associated Press All-State Honorable Mention

199 4- North Kent Advance All-Area Team

1994 - Grand Rapids Press All-Area Team

All-Conference Honorable Mention Sophomore Year

Led the Conference in three point goals (Sophomore, Junior and Senior Year)

Led the OK White Conference in total points (Junior Year)

All Conference (Junior and Senior Year)

Led the Conference in scoring average, total points, second in steals and third in rebounding (Senior Year)

Broke Sparta High School Girls' Basketball record for career points as three-year varsity player - 1,143

Received a Full Ride Athletic Scholarship to Grand Valley State University

Scored a three point basket in all but two games of her high school basketball career

Selected to AAU All-Star Team - 6 years

Softball - 4 Varsity letters 

1995 - OK Gold All-Conference 

1995 - Voted All Regional

Volleyball - 2 Varsity letters

Two-year member of the S-Club (varsity sports club) and two-year Special Olympics volunteer 

After graduation, Sarh continued her basketball career at GVSU, where she received a full-ride scholarship. In both her freshman and sophomore years, she was recognized as her team's most improved player. In 1997, she was involved in a car accident, and doctor's told her she may never walk again. However, with lots of determination and following a lot of physical therapy, she made her return to GVSU's basketball team in 1998. In 2000, she was recipient of the West Michigan Sports - Female College Athlete College Athlete Player of the Year Award. She received an invitation for a WNBA tryout, which she declined. 

Sarah has been married to her husband Max Bjorkman since July 2001. Together they have four children: Rylie, Kendyl, and Quinn - Zephan was born with a congenital heart defect and passed away in May 2008. Sarah earned her Master's Degree in Educational Technology  and has a Special Education Teaching Certificate. She has enjoyed coaching her daughter's basketball teams since her family's return to Sparta in 2014.

Words of Encouragement:

"While in high school, I learned to live by a quote by Olympic Medalist, Florence Griffith Joyner, 'When anyone tells me I can't do anything . . . I'm just not listening anymore.' This quote would become my motto after my car accident. Doctors told me that I would not be able to play basketball at the collegiate level again because of the seriousness of my injuries. After a year and half of hard work, physical therapy and determination, I returned to the starting lineup at Grand Valley. What I would tell current athletes is this:  Every time you step onto your field of play, remember the next day is not guaranteed. Every day you get to participate in the activity you love is a blessing. Step off your field of play knowing you gave your best mentally and physically so if you never have that opportunity again, you can enjoy your memories without regret."