Baton Rouge Community College (BRCC) Athletics announced Wednesday the 2025 basketball season will be dedicated to Head Men’s Basketball Coach Byron Starks and his family, in loving memory of his son, Byron “BJ” O’Keith Starks Jr. (February 24, 1996 – July 15, 2025).
Now entering his third year at the helm, Coach Starks has elevated the BRCC men’s basketball program, bringing a renewed culture of faith, discipline, and excellence that reflects his leadership and vision.
Known for treating his players like family, Coach Starks has built a program rooted in trust, accountability, and love — the same values that defined his son BJ’s life.
This season, the Bears will honor BJ’s legacy by playing with the same heart, joy, and servant spirit that he embodied for 29 years.
“God blessed us with BJ for 29 years,” Byron Starks, Sr., said. “In that time, he lived with a heart devoted to serving God and serving people. His kind, fun-loving, and caring spirit touched lives and left an impact that will live on forever.”
“I commission the Bears men’s basketball team to stand united as brothers,” Angel Starks, mother of BJ, said. “Our beloved BJ loved nothing more than playing sports with his actual brothers. He showed the same love, respect, and dedication to his brothers, his dad, his teammates, and his coaches that he brought to the game of basketball — with unwavering tenacity and heart.”
To symbolize BJ’s legacy, BRCC players will wear a special “BJ 29” memorial patch featuring angel wings on their jerseys throughout the 2025 season. The winged design represents BJ’s faith, kindness and the 29 years that, in Coach Starks’ words, “God blessed us with BJ.”
“Coach Starks has given so much of himself to this college and to our student-athletes,” BRCC Athletic Director Brock Kantrow said. “He treats his players like family and leads with faith and compassion every day. It’s our honor to dedicate this season to BJ’s memory and to stand beside Coach Starks and his family. This tribute reflects who we are as a Bear family — resilient, united, and rooted in faith.”
This season stands as a testament to faith, family and the strength of community. Through every practice, game and act of service, BRCC Athletics will carry forward BJ’s memory and the enduring spirit of the Starks family.
The Bears will open the 2025-26 season on Oct. 31 at the Raider Classic in Niceville, Fla. The first home game will be Nov. 3 at 11 a.m. CT against Florida Coastal Prep in the Bonne Sante Wellness Center on the Mid City campus.
