Nov. 25, 2002

Two endowments to fund grants-in-aid for the men’s swimming and diving team at the University of Notre Dame have been established in the name of longtime former coach Dennis J. Stark.

The endowments have been underwritten with gifts from Notre Dame graduates William A. Carson II and Dr. Kathleen L. Latino, who both were members of the Notre Dame swim teams. “This endowment honors one of Notre Dame’s greatest coaches,” said Kevin White, director of athletics, “We appreciate the generous way in which Bill Carson and Kathy Latino have recognized such a wonderful mentor to so many generations of Irish athletes and hope these endowments will grow in coming years.”



“We appreciate the generous way in which Bill Carson and Kathy Latino have recognized such a wonderful mentor to so many generations of Irish athletes and hope these endowments will grow in coming years.”Athletic Director, Kevin White

A 1969 graduate, Carson is a member of the Memphis law firm Burch, Porter & Johnson. His sons, Ellis and Courtney, were graduated from Notre Dame in 2001 and 2002, respectively. Latino was graduated in 1982 and is now a physician with Rockland Urology Associates in Pomona, N.Y. Before competing as a senior on the first women’s varsity swim team at Notre Dame, she was a member of both the men’s varsity team and the women’s club squad.

Stark served as the first head coach for both the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams. He compiled a dual meet record of 166-137 with the men from 1958-85 and of 31-14 with the women from 1981-85. He was the North Star Conference women’s coach of the year in 1984.

A 1947 Notre Dame graduate, Stark is an assistant professor of physical education at the University. He recently retired as director of the Rolfs Aquatics Center.

Stark has been actively involved in the Special Olympics and served as the aquatics venue manager for the 1987 International Special Olympics held in South Bend. He has been honored by the Notre Dame National Monogram Club and received the Harvey Foster Award from the Notre Dame Alumni Association.

The gifts from Carson and Latino are part of Notre Dame’s overall initiative to fund the maximum number of athletic grants-in-aid allowed by the NCAA in each of the University’s 26 men’s and women’s varsity programs.