Wrestling Head Coach

Sparky Ainslie B’02 is the Head Coach of the Bellarmine Wrestling program and has served in this role for 19 years, bringing nearly two decades of leadership and consistency to the program. A proud Bellarmine alumnus, Coach Ainslie remains deeply connected to the school’s mission and Jesuit values.

Coach Ainslie earned a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary History Education from Central Washington University and a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Washington. His background in education strongly informs his approach to coaching, emphasizing growth, discipline, and character development.

At the heart of the Bellarmine wrestling program is the philosophy “Lions Wrestle Tough,” which focuses on developing character, work ethic, and skill in alignment with Bellarmine’s Jesuit mission. Coach Ainslie believes success is measured not solely by wins and losses, but by the growth of his student-athletes as students, teammates, and individuals.

Coach Ainslie is grateful for the opportunity to coach at Bellarmine, where he can intentionally align program values with Jesuit teachings. The mission of the wrestling program is to develop not only strong competitors, but young men and women who demonstrate outstanding character, faith, and leadership. Wrestlers are encouraged to see athletics as one part of a balanced life, with an emphasis on becoming productive students, models of Christ, and contributing citizens beyond high school.

In addition to coaching, Coach Ainslie teaches middle school history at Saint Patrick Catholic School in Tacoma, further reflecting his commitment to Catholic education and youth formation.