Stark led the Cobras to a solid first season, before the 2020 half of the season was shortened due to COVID-19. Under Stark's leadership, senior Alicia Fajardo set the women's single-round low record at the first round of the Patsy Rendleman Invitational on Oct. 7. Fajardo would go on to pick up her first career win at the Converse Spring Invite (Feb. 17-18), before being named the South Atlantic Conference Women's Golfer of the Week on Feb. 26. At the conclusion of the season, Fajardo was named to the All-Conference Second Team. The women's golf team finished the year with the third-highest GPA amongst Coker's 24 teams, while also landing three players on the 2019-20 South Atlantic Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll. Fajardo, Katie Smith and Jordan White were named WGCA  All-American Scholars. On the men's side, Nick Waller was named a GCAA Srixon/Cleveland Golf Division II Scholar All-American. Men's Golf posted a 3.54 team GPA and also landed three players on the 2019-20 South Atlantic Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll. 

Sam Stark was hired as Coker University’s new head men’s and women’s golf coach, announced on Aug. 9, 2019 by Vice President of Athletics and Athletic Facilities Dr. Lynn Griffin. 

 “We are excited to welcome Sam to Coker and to the Hartsville community,” said Griffin. “Sam brings valuable NCAA Division II experience to our golf programs and has been a part of successful teams as a player and coach”.  

 Stark comes to Hartsville after three years as the head men’s and women’s golf coach at Alderson Broaddus University in Philippi, W.V. Under his leadership, the teams flourished in the classroom and were also competitive on the course. He helped his men’s team to a 3.2 team grade point average over his three-year tenure, while his women’s team maintained a 3.52 team GPA throughout his three seasons. 

 On the men’s side, he coached Seth Vannoy who was a Cleveland/Srixon Academic All-American in 2017-18. He also led the men to one team tournament title in the spring of 2018. 

 On the women’s side, he mentored Isabelle Castro who went on to post the lowest individual scoring average in school history at 83.32 during the 2017-18 season. Under his tutelage, the A-B women also posted the lowest scoring average in school history, as they broke the school record in 2017-18 before breaking it again in 2018-19. 

 Prior to his stint at A-B, Stark was a graduate assistant with the men’s golf program at the University of Indianapolis from 2015-17. He helped mentor the Greyhounds to two NCAA Super Regional appearances, as well as a 3.4 team GPA during his two years. The team also won a total of seven tournament titles during his time at UIndy. He coached Graham McAree, who was named the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) Player of the Year as well as a First Team All-American in 2016, and was also a two-time All-Region selection. 

 “I am incredibly grateful to President Wyatt and Dr. Griffin for the opportunity to work alongside great student-athletes at a storied institution like Coker,” said Stark. “The opportunity to continue the success of both Golf programs is one I cherish. Big things are happening throughout the University, and I am excited to lead these programs forward as part of that momentum.”

 Stark played collegiate golf at Ferris State University, where he was a member of the 2010 GLVC championship team. He was also a member of the 2013-14 Division II Team Academic National Championship team. During the 2012-13 season, he was awarded the Matt Pinter Leadership Award. 

 He holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Secondary Education with concentrations in both English and history from Ferris State, as well as a Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in organizational leadership from the University of Indianapolis.