Catana Starks knows all about beating the odds. Twenty-eight years ago, she was given the task of building — from scratch — the men’s golf program at Tennessee State University. In spite of meager beginnings, Starks persevered and became the first African-American woman to coach an NCAA Division I men’s golf team.
Starks’ inspiring success story is now on the big screen. From the Rough is the cinematic portrayal of her career at Tennessee State University (TSU). The film debuted in select theaters on April 25. It features Oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson in the lead role as the iconic coach. The cast also includes the late Michael Clarke Duncan (The Green Mile), Tom Felton (the Harry Potter film series), Henry Simmons (NYPD Blue TV series) and LeToya Luckett (Preacher’s Kid, Single Ladies TV series).
It’s Starks’ hope that the film sends a resounding message to viewers — that dreams come true for those who diligently pursue their goals.
“For anyone who’s interested in accomplishing something in their life, the movie shows that, with commitment and hard work, you can achieve whatever you desire,” says Starks.
Growing up in Mobile, Ala., Starks learned how to overcome adversity long before she arrived on the TSU campus. As a child, she suffered from asthma and was told by doctors that she would never have a physically active lifestyle.
She proved the doctors wrong. Not only did Starks become a swimmer, she eventually became a lifeguard and, later on, served as coach of the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams at TSU, her alma mater.
Encouragement from family, Starks notes, made a huge difference.
