Sam Stark ’91

Vice President, Rollins Alumni Association Board of Directors

According to Sam Stark ’91, “The Rollins experience never ends, it just changes over time.” As an alumnus who has been actively involved with the Rollins community since he graduated, nobody knows this better than he does. Stark has served as a Tar Booster, chair of the Sports Hall of Fame, Reunion class agent, and class speaker, and has attended Reunion and campus events regularly. Now in his third year on the Alumni Board, he has focused his efforts on two important Board initiatives: development of regional alumni chapters in the top 10 alumni markets and promoting a better awareness and integration of the alumni experience in the undergraduate experience. “Rollins can and should play a role in the life of every alumnus, and that is why I believe the regional chapters are so important,” Stark said. “But perhaps even more important is educating students to the fact that the Rollins experience is longer than the four years on campus—that there is a lifetime of connectivity, information, education, and fun awaiting them after they graduate. If we impress this on them from day one, they will be more engaged later on as alumni.”

Then

Hometown: Albuquerque, NM

Major: Politics

Extracurricular activities: Varsity tennis and soccer for one year; sports director of WPRK radio; founding president of ATO; president of SGA

Favorite classes: Sure hard to beat Public Speaking with Doc Rodgers

Favorite memories: What’s the rule? …What happens on Fox Day stays on Fox Day!

Best place on campus: Strong Hall—for sure the best campus house and the ATO’s fully enjoyed it

Favorite local eatery: Wings & Curls and Skeeters—both are closed now, but it’s hard to beat those fries and the Lil Asher!

Career ambition: I always wanted to be involved in sports but had no idea I could turn it into a career.

Now

Hometown: Winter Park, FL

Family: Wife Heather, son Ben (6), and daughter Sylvia (4)

Career: President & CEO of the Central Florida Sports Commission

Volunteer work: Board member for Winter Park Public Library, City of Winter Park Parks and Recreation, and Florida Bar Foundation; YMCA soccer coach for my kids’ soccer teams

Hobbies: Tennis, bicycling, traveling, cooking, and spending time with my family

Favorite R&R: Spending time at the beach with my family

Guilty pleasure: A fantasy football league I’ve been in since ’92 with a group of Rollins alums

What I miss most about college life: Where do I begin…