Journalism Grad Tom Sparks Dies on 'Wipeout'

Reality Shows and Physical Exertion

Tom Sparks, a promising USC journalism graduate, has died after competing on the reality show Wipeout. According to the Los Angeles Times, Tom Sparks died of a stroke after attempting an obstacle course on Wipeout. He was rushed to the hospital, transferred to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center where he received several brain surgeries before being pronounced dead on November 5.

Tom Sparks Dies on Wipeout: Promising Career Cut Short

Tom Sparks, 33, was a graduate of USC's Annenberg School for Communications and Journalism. He had earned a BA in communications before moving onto LA's KROQ-FM radio station and later Idaho's KSKI-FM. He then returned to USC for his master's degree.

Associated Director Patricia Dean described him as the kind of guy who got to know everyone. "He was the kind of person who -- and this is a great trait for journalism -- when he talked to you, he talked directly to you and cared about what you said."

Tom Sparks was also a newlywed. He and his wife Katie had competed together on Wipeout.

Tom Sparks Dies on Wipeout: Reality Shows and Physical Exertion

Tom Sparks' tragic passing makes me wonder if some reality shows are too physically demanding on their contestants. While Wipeout is one of the most physically strenuous reality shows, we've seen disasters on other shows. On Dancing With the Stars we've seen countless contestants over the seasons drop out because of injuries. And on this season's So You Think You Can Dance, we saw nosebleeds, sprained ankles, and contestants drop out because of injuries.

Yet Tom Sparks' father suggests that the stroke may have been caused by a pre-existing condition that causes abnormal clotting of the blood. Tom Sparks had also recently completed the Long Beach Marathon. There's probably no point in blaming Wipeout for the tragedy, as doing so won't bring him back.

If anything positive can come from this tragedy, perhaps it would discourage potential Wipeoutt contestants from competing if they are unprepared to handle the physical demands of the show.