NBA player Stephen Curry, a well-known golf nut, has brought to life golf programs at Howard University, an NCAA Division I school in Washington, D.C. Curry announced in August he was committed to funding men’s and women’s teams at the university for six years beginning with the 2020-21 academic year.
On Thursday, Howard took the next step by announcing the hiring of Samuel Puryear Jr. as head men’s and women’s golf coach. Puryear’s 12-year coaching career includes Stanford University, Michigan State University and Queens University of Charlotte. A native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Puryear played collegiate at Tennessee State University under Coach Catana Sparks (the first woman to coach a men’s Division I golf team, a story on which the movie “From the Rough” was later based).
Puryear became the first African-American head coach at a Power 5 school when he was hired at Michigan State in 2008. To date, his coaching career has produced one national championship, one Big Ten Championship, two Coach of the Year honors, two Conference Carolina titles and two South Atlantic Conference championships.
“I would like to thank Stephen Curry, Dr. Wayne Frederick and Mr. Kery Davis for creating and providing this unique opportunity. I am excited to be involved and on the ground floor with a culturally, historically significant university that has positioned itself with positively shaping and molding some of our countries most talented and brightest student-athletes,” Puryear said. “Mr. Curry’s vision will impact this program and resonate through the world of golf for many years to come.”
Howard previously sponsored golf on the NCAA Division II level. The university currently sponsors 21 NCAA Division I men’s and women’s varsity sports.
The resources that Curry provided have been strategically allocated for talent scouting and training, with the goal to have a competitive team in place in time to compete in its inaugural season.
“Partnering with NBA Champion Stephen Curry to support Howard University’s first NCAA Division 1 golf program brings critical resources to the table to support our vision to enhance our athletics program and use sport to expand the cultural experience of our students,” said President Wayne A. I. Frederick. “The selection of Coach Sam Puryear is the next step in this historic journey to take golf at Howard to the highest level. His experience training student athletes to perform on the greens, in the classroom and on the PGA Tour will serve him well as he creates a foundation of excellence to pursue championship-level play in the Bison community.”
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