• Feature Story (October 2019)
Tennessee State trailblazing golf coach
Dr. Catana Starks passed away on Sunday morning at the age of 75.
Starks made history becoming the first African-American woman to coach an all-men’s team at the collegiate level. Starks coached the TSU men’s golf team from 1986 until 2005 when she led the Tigers to a National Minority Golf Championship. The team shot a record-setting 840 as a unit.
Starks, a Tennessee State University graduate, returned to Nashville in 1980 to become the swimming coach for the Tigers. When TSU entered the Ohio Valley Conference, the athletic department dropped the swimming program to add golf and tabbed Starks as the head coach.
During her time as a coach, Starks earned her doctorate degree, began teaching and eventually becoming the department head of Human Performance and Sports Sciences at TSU.
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 the European professional tour.
In 2011, her story inspired the movie “From the Rough” starring the late Michael Clarke Duncan and Oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson.
Former Players and Colleagues Reflect on Dr. Catana Starks
Dr. Mikki Allen – Tennessee State Director of Athletics
“I’m deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Dr. Catana Starks. Dr. Starks was one of my favorite professors during my time as a graduate student at Tennessee State University. Dr. Starks was an amazing educator and had a tremendous impact on my career as a sports administrator.
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. 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. I’ll always remember her passion for her students. She was so very committed to development of young people. She was also smart, witty, sensitive and caring. When God created Catana, He made her imprint reach far and touch many. Prayers and condolences to her loving family, colleagues and the students she invested her life’s energies in.
Parrish McGrath - Tennessee State Head Golf Coach
"Coach Starks was a true pioneer. Running a program is tough enough but to start from scratch and find success is a testament to her drive and dedication. 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. Thank you for the opportunity to play golf at TSU. TSU was the most formative time in my life, the learning curve the steepest. The experience has had a positive and lasting effect on me. Thank you coach for providing me with the opportunity. Coach endured so much, fought so hard. 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. She was a true advocate and believer in the term student-athlete. She helped make me a better student, athlete and now coach. I am paying a lot of her messages and lessons forward.”
Robert Dinwiddie, Former Tennessee State Golfer, All-American and Member of European Professional Tour
“She was an absolutely amazing person that was extremely passionate about golf and very funny too. I’m especially sad because I have been meaning to get back to Nashville soon and she would have been the first person I’d have reached out to. She was a great coach. All my love.”
Chris Seibel, Former TSU Head Coach and Golfer (2006-2010), 2010 TSU Male Athlete of the Year
"It brings me great sadness to hear my Advisor, Coach, and mentor Catana Starks has passed away. She was a trailblazer of her own and she wasn’t afraid to tell you the way it is. She always wanted to know how my golf tournaments went, where did we go this week and when was the next event. 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. When I became the TSU Golf coach, Catana was right there for support and guidance. If it wasn’t for Coach Starks, we might not have had our golf program as long as it’s been around. Sometimes we can’t find the right words for those who impact our lives, Coach will have a special place in my heart and the TSU Golf Program."
Phillip Watkins, Former Tennessee State Golfer (2003-2006)
“I played for coach in 2003-2006 where she took a chance on a 20 year old all the way from Melbourne, Australia. It was a daunting experience moving across the world not knowing anyone but she made me settle in to her program with open arms. I really enjoyed my time at TSU and living in Nashville because of coach. We had a great team, capped off by winning the 2005 national minority championship for the first time with a record team score in Pt St Lucie, Florida at -24 under par.
I will never forget the van rides to events, the food stops, her greeting me on the par 3’s in events telling me what clubs the other guys hit, her passion for golf, and the overall Life experience she afforded me. 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. The ethics I learned from you coach will never leave me! Rest in peace Coach and thank you for all you taught us!”
Mark Searle – Former Tennessee State Golfer
“I played on the most successful golf team at TSU under her and she was so welcoming when I came across from England. She went out of her way to take me to and from the course during practice, acted as a motherly figure at times of need and was always there for you if you needed a chat. She put countless hours into the program when I was there and recruited a top team over my four years. Players that have gone on to play the European Tour shows the ability she had to select quality. RIP coach. I will always remember you here in England.
Eric Wilhite, Former Tennessee State Golfer (1988-92)
“Coach Starks was like a second mom for our entire golf team. I have so many memories and learned a ton of life lessons that I continue to practice today. Her dedication to the TSU golf program was amazing. But her commitment to develop us as men is what I appreciated the most. I am very grateful I had a chance to play for a special person and TSU Legend!!!
Nyre Wiiams, Former Tennessee State Golfer (1990-93)
“Coach Starks was not only our Beloved Golf Coach, many times she was a mother figure and mentor to many of us! I'm sure she is coaching someone in heaven on how to keep the ball in the fairway! She will truly be missed and her legacy will forever live on!!”
Adrian Adams – Former Tennessee State Golfer
“Coach was an inspiration to all her players. She changed so many lives and cared for so many of her players and students. Coach Starks certainly made a difference in my life personal and I will never forget that and never forget her.”
Andrew C. Morton, III – Former Tennessee State Golfer
“Yes, Yesterday was a sad day for the TSU Golf team Fraternity, we lost a great Coach and friend. Coach Starks wasn't just a great coach; she was a friend that cared about you on and off the course. She was just like and extended mother that would praise you when did right and get on when you did wrong. She molded so many good athletes like myself to become successful business men today. I owe her so much, she will be truly missed. RIP Coach Starks.”
Guaylon Arnic – Former Tennessee State Golfer (1991-94)
“Coach Starks was an unbelievable visionary that helped boys evolve into men through the lessons taught through the game of golf. Hard work, dedication and preparation were three areas that she preached because it would carry us through out life. I will always be thankful for the opportunity and the guidance that she gave me. She will be missed.“
Richard Gill, Former Tennessee State Golfer
“I heard and read about the passing of Coach Starks. Dr. Starks was a pioneer being the first African-American woman to coach a men’s Division-I team. That is extremely admirable and something that should not forget.
I did not know Dr. Starks as a coach, only as the head of the HPSS department, but she was always talking to me about where we were playing, how the team was doing, and she enjoyed talking about her team winning the 2005 National Minority Championship. She was ecstatic that our team won it in 2009, but she wanted us to remember that she won it first. It was her sense of humor and competitive side showing through. She will be missed but not forgotten. Her legacy will continue to live on.”
James Hobbs – Jacksonville State Head Golf Coach
“I always held her in high regards and what she had done at TSU. She was highly professional, she was very competitive. She always impressed me her with her easy going demeanor. She was always easy to talk to and very personable when you had a chance to talk away from golf. She was the nicest person.
In my first year in the OVC, our team made it to the NCAA tournament the same year Robert Dinwiddie made it as an individual. We were at the same site together. He was such a good player. She had some great players there at Tennessee State. She was just a nice person. I am sorry for her family’s loss.”
Eddie Hunt, Murray State Head Golf Coach
“Catana will be missed very much. She was coaching when I began at Murray State, and I remember how she welcomed me to the coaching group. She also had highly competitive teams and was a great recruiter. Catana was a great colleague and had a passion for the game of golf.”