Paul McSparin

When he first entered junior college in 1992, Paul McSparin's intent was to play baseball and do well enough academically to be able to transfer to a four-year school. However, by the end of his second year, Paul McSparin had earned a reputation as the best amateur catcher in Illinois. Subsequently, the Pittsburgh Pirates signed him to a contract to play professional ball.

Four years later, an untimely shoulder injury prematurely ended McSparin's budding baseball career. Despite the injury, he wanted to stay with baseball, so he entered the education system as an Assistant Coach at Harrisburg High School in Illinois. In 1999, he joined the athletic department at Carbondale Community High School, also in Illinois, as Head Baseball Coach. The work ethic he instilled in his players went a long way toward making the game fun for them, as well as for the rest of the school, which enjoyed its winningest season during McSparin's tenure.

After five successful years at Carbondale, Paul McSparin accepted an offer to become Head Baseball Coach at Southeastern Illinois College, where he played before the Pirates drafted him. For his players, he continued to insist on a strong work ethic on the field; off the field, he emphasized the importance of finishing school and getting into a good four-year program.

As his coaching career progressed, McSparin became more and more aware that he was dissatisfied with his own career choice. Accounting once had been a long-term goal of his, so he decided to refocus on earning an accounting degree and following in his accountant father's footsteps. In 2009, McSparin returned to college and completed the coursework necessary for a Bachelor's degree in Accounting, which he earned from the University of Southern Indiana in 2011.

Paul McSparin currently works as a self-employed accountant. His next goal is to earn licensure as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). He already has completed a special training course, and has passed the first two parts of the grueling CPA exam.