get a job through some company’s independently wanting to help,” said Bass. Around the time of the time of the opportunity there was a partnership between companies that is still relatively new,” said Bass. In conjunction with The Metropolitan Nashville Parks and the help of the administration, had outreach programs with YMCA and the Director of Parks and Recreation in Williamson County assisted with some of the players gaining employment and developed more programs. Swim meets returned to the campus in 1983 when the Howard C. Gentry Complex opened creating more attraction for recruitment and visibility. But even though were noticing the team, limited funds impacted the number of swimmers on the team who could be part of the team. “Although, we are just a minor sport we were always in the top three of every competition we entered, Bass
said.“The only difference betweenTSU and the other universities was having the funds to train the swimmers and having a functional facility to help the swimmers be prepared for the featured meets. Having more money would have given us a better chance for more competition.” “Personally, I wanted to make sure the swim team would be able to survive as long as possible. Funding is needed
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to keep any sport active. It costs to bring swimmers from other areas, and provide them with scholarships,” he said. Approaching the ending years of Bass’ coaching the Tiger Sharks, he personally donated $15,000 to aid with scholarships for the remaining members of the team. Once Bass left in 1983, Dr. Catana Starks, a former lifeguard student of Hughes’,
began her journey as head coach for the Tiger Sharks. After the financial struggles Bass had with the team, Starks found a more stable funding situation. In order to meet the required 14 swimmers, according to NCAA, Starks added two women swimmers. Since there was no female swim team on campus, this move helped to bring in government funding to help support the swim team.
“Mr. Bass did a really good job with the swimmers, I just added more athletes from the northern states to the team,” Starks said. During the last few years of the swim team, the Tiger Sharks continued to attend meets at universities across Tennessee and in surrounding states. The team won 14 first place titles, including in the areas of challenge in
the 400-meter, swimming, diving and the 200-freestyle relay, and others. The TSU Tiger Sharks officially disbanded in the late 1980’s. The aquatic program lasted for nearly 40 years producing star athletes who even entered the Olympics. Although the university no longer has a swim team, the pool is still being used today by area high schools for their aquatic activities. 35