Starks' trailblazing story was documented in the film "From The Rough" in 2011. All rights reserved. Dr. Starks’ commitment to the Tennessee State community went far beyond the classroom as she was an excellent coach and ambassador for the University.”Teresa Phillips - Former Tennessee State Director for Athletics "Dr. Catana Starks will forever be remembered as a teacher, coach and as an athlete in her own right. NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Dr. Catana Starks, a Tennessee State University alumna who became the first African American woman to coach an all men’s team at the collegiate level, is being remembered as a humble trailblazer whose legacy will live on in those she inspired.

With the availability of black players scarce, Turner scours Europe, Australia and Asia for hidden talent and constructs a uniquely multiracial team. Running a program is tough enough but to start from scratch and find success is a testament to her drive and dedication. Her dedication to the TSU golf program was amazing. The team shot a record-setting 840 as a unit.

During her time as TSU’s golf coach, Starks guided several successful players including Canadian Sean Foley, who went on to become Tigers Woods’ swing coach, Sam Puryear, who became the first Black men’s head golf coach in a major conference (Michigan State, 2008) and is now the coach at Howard, and Robert Dinwiddie, who was an All-American at TSU and went on to become a member of the European Tour. It was Starks’ final year as the coach. All of us in the TSU golf program owe her a debt of gratitude for all she accomplished.Sean Foley, Former Tennessee State Golfer, Professional Swing Coach“Rest In Peace Dr. Starks. TSU was the most formative time in my life, the learning curve the steepest. Dr. Starks epitomized the excellence that TSU strives to instill in all its students. “She was a true advocate and believer in the term student-athlete,” said Puryear. Catana Starks, a former Tennessee State Tigers swim coach, who became the first woman ever to coach a college men’s golf team. Dr. Catana R. Starks, Tennessee State University (TSU) golf coach and alumna, died on Sunday, September 6 at the age of 75.
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Starks was the school’s swim team coach at the time.

Time for her to Rest In Peace, she was a great woman and leader.”Sam Puryear, Former Tennessee State Golfer, Former Michigan State Head Coach“Coach Starks was a true coach. Through her instruction, Dr. Starks’ not only (built or cultivated) relationships with her students but she also encouraged her students to think forward and see potential in themselves about their future endeavors. Dr. Catana Starks, who made history in 1986 at Tennessee State when she became the first Black woman to coach a men’s NCAA Division I golf team, died Sunday in Nashville.

I owe her so much, she will be truly missed.

When TSU entered the Ohio Valley Conference, the athletic department dropped the swimming program to add golf and named Starks as the head coach.

Thank you for the opportunity to play golf, at TSU. I really enjoyed my time at TSU and living in Nashville because of coach. !”Adrian Adams – Former Tennessee State Golfer “Coach was an inspiration to all her players. The swim team was not sanctioned by the NCAA.

Starks coached the TSU men’s golf team from 1986 until 2005 when she led the Tigers to a National Minority Golf Championship. I am sorry for her family’s loss.”Eddie Hunt, Murray State Head Golf Coach “Catana will be missed very much. She was just like and extended mother that would praise you when did right and get on when you did wrong. Prayers and condolences to her loving family, colleagues and the students she invested her life’s energies in. She put countless hours into the program when I was there and recruited a top team over my four years. Thank you coach for providing me with the opportunity. She was a great coach.

RIP Coach Starks”Matthew Buley, Tennessee State Former Golfer“Coach, you were always there to push us, always driven with enthusiasm, always looking out for the best interest of us, always helping us through each step stone and ensuring we always deliver. Starks was inducted into the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy.

We were at the same site together. “Our hearts are saddened by the passing of Dr. Catana Starks,”, said TSU President Glenda Glover.
She was a true advocate and believer. an all-men’s team at the collegiate level.

I always remembered seeing a Score Sheet in her office with her team’s results from Winning the PGA National Minority Championship, coach was very proud of all her players and not afraid to brag about them. in the term student-athlete. During her time as a coach, Starks earned her doctorate degree, began, teaching and eventually becoming the department head of Human, Under her guidance, the team also produced Sean Foley, who went on to, be Tiger Woods’ swing coach; Sam Puryear, who became the first African, American men’s head golf coach in any major conference (Michigan, State); and Robert Dinwiddie, an All-American who went on to play on, In 2011, her story inspired the movie “From the Rough” starring the. She will be missed.“Richard Gill, Former Tennessee State Golfer“I heard and read about the passing of Coach Starks.