HARTSVILLE, S.C. - Coker University head men's and women's golf coach Sam Stark is headed home to his alma mater Ferris State University to take over the men's and women's golf programs, recently announced by Ferris State Athletics.

"Sam has done a wonderful job of reestablishing the golf programs at Coker" said Dr. Lynn Griffin, Vice President for Athletics and Athletic Facilities. "Sam understands the meaning of student-athlete and he will continue to be a leader in golf and intercollegiate athletics. We wish him all the best at Ferris State." 

Stark was the head coach at Coker for two years, coaching one All-Conference selection, Female Golfer of the Week selection and school record-breaker (Alicia Fajardo, 2019-20). He also led the men's team to a tournament title at the CIU Spring Invitational (Feb. 22-23) in 2021.

Stark's teams also excelled in the classroom, as the women's golf program posted the best team GPA in the department two years in a row, as well as the men's team putting together the best men's team GPA in the department in 2020-21. Stark also coached one Cleveland Golf/Srixon Division II All-America Scholar in Nick Waller (2019-20) and three Women's Golf Coaches Association Scholar All-Americans (Fajardo, Katie Smith, Jordan White, 2019-20). Stark's 2019-20 women's team also posted the eighth-highest GPA in Division II women's golf at 3.779.

Stark also was the voice of Coker basketball for two seasons on the Cobra Sports Network.

"I was honored to lead Coker Golf for the past two years," said Stark. "A special thanks for Dr. Griffin for the privilege, and a huge thank you to my colleagues and friends in the athletic department, and to the many special faculty members, administrators, and members of the Hartsville community for their support over the past two years. I'm excited to watch the programs continue to flourish, Go Cobras!"

Coker University has a national search underway to replace Stark.