SALISBURY, N.C. – August is National Golf Month, making it the perfect time to celebrate one of Livingstone College's greatest champions of the sport. Few people embody the spirit of Livingstone College the way Andre Springs does: Hall of Famer, mentor and the driving force behind one of the school's most decorated programs.

"I've been a winner," said Springs, who serves as special assistant to the president and head golf coach at Livingstone. Inducted in 1990 as Fayetteville State's first Hall of Fame golfer, he's now an eight-time honoree and recently made history again as the first Atlantic East nominee for the Region National Coach of the Year Award.

Early Years

Springs's coaching journey at Livingstone began in 1979, a year after graduating from Fayetteville State University. As a student-athlete, he was golf team captain for three years and helped lead FSU to a CIAA championship title, earning MVP honors along the way. His early success caught the attention of his college coach, who was Livingstone's athletic director at the time. He invited Springs to join Livingstone as a golf coach in hopes of reviving a struggling golf program.

While Springs was excited to start in the new role, he was 20 years old – the youngest coach in the CIAA at the time – and stepping into a position that demanded leadership and vision. He didn't waste time setting expectations for players: those who were late or skipped practice were dismissed. By the end of his first season, only one golfer remained. Within ten years, Livingstone's golf team were four-time CIAA champions and earned three national titles.

In 1988, Springs left the college briefly, later returning as an admissions counselor and continuing to coach the golf team. This new role allowed him to build deeper connections across campus, expand his network and galvanize his love for the institution and its mission.

"Livingstone has always been good to me, which is why I have so much love for the institution," Springs said. "I met so many good people (like) bishops, pastors, and I had the opportunity to work with different presidents. I have built relationships rooted in trust and respect."

Livingstone is also where he met his wife. "We met at a football game against Johnson C. Smith," Springs said with a smile. "That game changed my life in more ways than one."

A Career Beyond the Green

After several years of service, Springs moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where he became the first Black general manager at Highland Park Golf Club. Then in 2000, he accomplished another notable first: becoming the first Black teaching professional at Birkdale Golf Club, a prestigious program designed by golf legend Arnold Palmer. Springs had once caddied for Palmer, making the opportunity more meaningful.

Still, one dream lingered: returning to Livingstone.

"Coaching is a tough job, especially when your players are close to your age," Springs said. "But I knew I wanted to come back… and if I did, I wanted to be athletic director."

Fate met him halfway.

At a Charlotte golf tournament, Springs reconnected with Livingstone's then-president, Dr. Jimmy Jenkins, and Athletic Director Clifton Huff, who was a student during Springs's early years at the college. Their conversation led Jenkins to offer Springs the opportunity to return as head golf coach.

"I remember reintroducing him to Dr. Jenkins years ago, saying, 'This is the man who built the golf program,'" Huff said. "He's done a great job. He's a good judge of talent and a great developer. Not every coach can develop athletes. He's elevated our golf program to national contention."

Rebuilding the Legacy

During his six-year tenure, Springs guided the men's basketball team to back-to-back CIAA championships in 2014 and 2015, an unprecedented achievement in Livingstone's history. Meanwhile, his golf team reclaimed its title, winning four CIAA championships.

After several successful seasons, Springs stepped down from the athletic director role to focus on his health. But even while prioritizing his well-being, he remained faithful to Livingstone. He later returned as interim athletic director and now serves as the college's special assistant to the president and head golf coach.

Global Reach, Local Impact

As recruitment for college golfers became more competitive during Springs's tenure, he shifted his focus internationally.

"A lot of domestic players were recruited to D1 schools," he explained. "So, I had to think differently."

Then came a call from Uganda in 2017.

"I saw the number and hung up. "I didn't know anyone from Africa," Springs recalled. "But (the caller) called again. On the other end was Titus Okwong, a star golf athlete who said he heard that Livingstone was winning championships and wanted to play for us."

Okwong, who played for the Uganda National Team and began his golf journey at Toro Golf Club in 2008, was determined to bring his talents to the U.S. After graduating from Nyakasura School in 2012, he set his sights on becoming "the next Tiger Woods" and started seeking scholarship opportunities to play college golf. Livingstone offered the best path forward and Okwong earned partial scholarship, and raised $5,000 through a personal fundraiser to make his dream a reality.

That call not only changed Okwong's life, but it also opened a pipeline of international talent to Livingstone.

"Okwong could have attended any university. He had a 4.0 GPA," Springs said. "He influenced other Ugandan golfers to come to Livingstone. Okwong took the initiative to choose Livingstone, and that decision made a huge impact on the continued success of our golf program."

Okwong's mutual respect for Springs runs deep.

"Coach Springs is amazing. I told him, 'I want to win championships with you and help make you a six-time Hall of Famer (because) he was a five-time Hall of Famer when we met," said Okwong. "He's a living legend who's done incredible things in the game of golf. We've won championships because of the knowledge and wisdom he's passed down to us. He's old school, but that's what makes him special…he gives it to you raw. He's changed so many lives, including mine and my brother's. You can't even imagine how much he's impacted our families. And I don't think (he) even realizes the full extent of it. He doesn't always receive the flowers he deserves. He trusted me so much that, when he faced health challenges, he allowed me to step in as interim golf coach. That's the kind of leader he is; he believes in you before you even believe in yourself."

Okwong's success caught the attention of his classmates in Uganda and inspired many of them, including Coline Ajidra from Entebbe who arrived at Livingstone in 2019, to join him at Salisbury's only historically black college.

"I had no desire to go to school in America," Ajidra said, "but when I spoke to Titus, he would go on and on about how great Livingstone and Coach Springs were, and how much he loved America. He told me he was on scholarship for golf, and from then I was sold. Titus introduced me to Coach Springs, and after speaking with him on the phone, I made plans to attend Livingstone that spring."

When Ajidra arrived, his golf skills weren't strong partly because he hadn't played in a while and was more accustomed to golfing in colder conditions. He didn't even have proper clubs.

"Coach Springs bought me new clubs, handed me his own bag, and practiced with me one-on-one," he said. "By the next year, I was helping the team win championships. He created a family for me away from home."

Springs's dedication to mentorship extended far beyond the golf course.

"It's a mindset of winning… it's a gift," he said. "But you have to really love what you're doing because kids can see right through it."

In 2021, Ajidra and three teammates were invited to represent Uganda in the African National Championships in Egypt. But they had one condition: Coach Springs had to come.

"We told the Ugandan Federation we wouldn't go without him," Ajidra said. "They agreed and paid for all four of us, including Coach Springs, to travel."

It was Springs's first time abroad and a career highlight.

"It was amazing watching him experience our world," Ajidra said. "We took him to local markets, encouraged him to try new foods, and challenged the myths he may have believed about Africa. He left with three bags full of souvenirs. It was a beautiful full-circle moment."

For Springs, the trip was proof that his legacy reached far beyond scorecards and tournaments.

The Legacy of Coach Springs

In the 2024-2025 season, Springs not only coached the Livingstone team to another standout year, but saw four of his athletes – Ibrahim Aliga, Chris Baguma, Luke Cochran and Denis Asada – earn All-CIAA, All-Conference honors, reflecting their discipline both on the course and in the classroom.

"Coach Springs has made a huge impact on my life," Asada said. "He has helped me grow so much, not only as a player, but as a person. I'm so grateful for his leadership and support. He believes in us, even when we doubt ourselves and that's something I'll carry with me forever."

Under Springs's leadership, Livingstone College has earned victories on the course and national recognition for athletic excellence and student success. The golf program has won multiple CIAA championships, made four NCAA tournament appearances (the most in the school's history) and reached a peak position of third place during national tournament play. The milestones have helped raise the profile of Livingstone College across the nation.

"It's about building men, not just players," he said. "If I can help these students find their confidence, their discipline, and their purpose, then I've done my job."