After studying Hsing-I KungFu, Okinawan Shorin Ryu, Okinawan Goju Ryu in the 1970's, Sparkman Sensei began his Aikido journey with Dennis Hooker Sensei in the early 1980's. He had been searching for Aikido for some time after being exposed to a well known book called "Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere". At the time, this book was one of very few Aikido publications printed in English.

Unable to find a reputable Karate dojo in Pensacola, Florida, Sparkman Sensei was training with a US Goju club on the UWF campus. After having decided to discontinue training there, he attended a martial arts demonstration on campus which also included an Aikido demonstration given by Dennis Hooker Sensei. He was pleasantly surprised to see that Aikido existed in Pensacola and was extremely impressed with what he saw.

After the demonstration he immediately asked for permission to train. Hooker Sensei seemed to have little interest in such a green prospective student; at the time most of his students were experienced military operators. This dismissive response inspired Sparkman Sensei to prove his commitment to consistent, austere training. In fact, Sparkman Sensei was reprimanded on more than one occasion for training while sick. Sparkman Sensei has often stated that any skill he may have is simply due to his stubbornness. "There were times in my training that the only reason I continued was an unwillingness to swallow my pride and give up, and my lack of courage to tell Hooker Sensei that 'I quit'. "

Sparkman Sensei makes it obvious that he is extremely grateful for the guidance Hooker Sensei has and continues to provide. Honesty and integrity in the Aikido community is of greater and greater concern. Sparkman Sensei and all  his students are constantly reminded how fortunate they are to be members of Hooker Sensei's Aikido family.