He played quarterback for the University of Michigan Wolverines football team and was selected in 1916 as a first-team All-American by the New York sports writer Monty.

William was a founding partner of the Sparks-Withington Company (later known as Sparton Corporation) and builder of the world famous Cascade Falls in Jackson.

Prior to the opening game of the 1916 season, one Michigan newspaper wrote: "Sparks, the Jackson lad, is another back who has proved that he is ready to do his part and looks so much like 'Tommy' Hughitt in action that Yost has stopped worrying about his quarterback position.

"[3] Yost told reporters before the season began that he believed Sparks would develop into "one of the best quarters Michigan has had in recent years.

"[4] Sparks played his first game for Michigan's varsity football team in the 1916 season opener, a 38-0 win over Marietta College.

The Associated Press reported that "Michigan ground gaining was done through continuous hard smashing assaults upon the Marietta line with Captain Maulbetsch, Sparks and Raymond taking turns at scoring.

[8] According to one account of the game, Sparks "crumpled the Aggie line almost every time he crashed into it and circled ends with ease, and was eel-like in running back punts.

"[8] The Texas paper continued:"The Wolverines have uncovered a quarterback – Clifford Sparks – whose brilliant work this – his first varsity – season ranks him among the most sensational performers in the western football world.

He has 'pulled' plays repeatedly that have disconcerted the Ann Arbor foes, put them to utter rout and brought gasps of astonishment from the stands because of their audacity and their remarkable execution.

Sparks' coach, Fielding H. Yost, had acquired the nickname "Hurry Up" for the rapid style of play he instilled in his players.

A syndicated newspaper story reported:"'Hurry Up' Yost, coach of the Michigan football squad, has finally failed to live up to his nickname.

[14] Nine of Monty's 1916 All-American played for East Coast colleges, with Sparks and Bob Higgins of Penn State as the only Westerners named to the team.