WASHINGTON – Howard University has announced the hiring of Samuel Puryear,Jr., as Director of Golf. The announcement came from Director of Athletics Kery Davis.Puryear

"We are excited to welcome coach Sam Puryear to the Howard University family. His wealth of experience as a collegiate player and coach coupled with his teaching style make him the ideal person for this role," said Davis. "I look forward to working with him to build an exceptional program for our student athletes."

Last year, the program made national headlines when it received a generous financial boost from six-time NBA All-Star and Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation co-founder, Stephen Curry, who committed to support the establishment of the university's first NCAA Division I golf program for six years. Howard University plans to debut the first men's and women's golf teams in the 2020/2021 academic year. The university previously had a Division II golf team and various intercollegiate and intramural club teams.

Coach Puryear, a native of Winston-Salem, N.C., graduated from Tennessee State University with honors. During his time as a collegiate golfer and team captain, he played under the leadership of Coach Dr. Catana Starks, the first woman to coach a men's Division I golf team. Puryear's 12-year coaching career includes Stanford University, Michigan State University (MSU) and Queens University of Charlotte.

In 2008, Puryear became the first African-American head coach at a Power Five Conference University (MSU). 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. More than 10 of Puryear's former players have played in PGA Tour events, which includes one player participating in the Masters.