John Sparks, who has served as the General Manager of the Hoover Met Complex (HMC) for the past three years, has been promoted to full-time Account Executive with Sports Facilities Companies.As a result of this role change, the Hoover Met Complex has promoted Dr. E.J. Brophy to the role of General Manager, effective immediately.
Dr. Brophy came to HMC in September, serving as the Director of Business Development & Events, after retiring from the public-school sector where he served for over 25 years in Alabama. Dr. Brophy brings a wealth of knowledge to his new role, having spent the last 16 years serving as Assistant Athletic Director at UAB, Director of Athletics at the University of West Alabama, and Director of Athletics at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
Brophy was an all-conference baseball player at UAB in the early 1990’s, as well as a minor league catcher in the Philadelphia Phillies organization, where he reached the Triple-A level in his final season. He then spent the next seven years teaching and coaching, with roles as an assistant at Samford University, and the University of Montevallo. He was also the Head Baseball Coach at Wallace Community College in Selma, Alabama from 1998-2003.
Dr. Brophy is a three-time graduate of UAB, holding a B.S. in Physical Education, a Master’s in Physical Education, and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership. Brophy and his wife Cindy are the proud parents of son Brooks who is a senior pitcher and Biology major at UAH, and daughter Bailey who is an Alpha Gamma Delta sorority member and Food and Nutrition major at Alabama.
In his new role, Sparks will oversee multiple facility accounts throughout the Southeast, including the Hoover Met Complex, which will continue to serve as his home base. Since Sparks became GM in 2018, HMC’s economic impact has grown from $13 million to over $40 million, despite the impacts of COVID-19. In the same time frame, local usage has grown 150% as well. The Hoover Met Complex has a full slate of events for 2021, with indoor events fully booked, and outdoor events near capacity. In his time as General Manager, Sparks has emphasized the need to balance local programming and sports tourism to best accommodate the needs of the Hoover community.
Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato said “While I am disappointed to see John go, I send my congratulations as he accepts a new position within SFC. John has done an outstanding job in coordinating, operating and promoting the Hoover Met Complex and we are forever grateful for his efforts.” Mayor Brocato also welcomes Dr. Brophy to his new role as General Manager, saying “For years, members of our Hoover City staff have had a strong, positive relationship with E.J. We look forward to continuing those relationships and support him as he seeks to take the Hoover Met Complex to the next level.”
About the Hoover Metropolitan Complex: The Hoover Metropolitan Complex (HMC) is a world class, multi-sport and event complex located in Hoover, AL. The HMC includes the Hoover Met Stadium, the state-of-the-art Finley Center with Hoover Climbing & Adventure, an RV Park, outdoor baseball complex, multi-purpose fields, a tennis complex, and all-inclusive playground and splash pad. The Hoover Met Stadium has served as the home of the SEC Baseball Tournament since 1998. The Hoover Metropolitan Complex is owned by the City of Hoover, Alabama. HMC is a member of the SFM Network, the nation’s largest and fastest growing network of sports facilities, and is operated by the industry-leader in outsourced operations, Sports Facilities Companies.
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