The Catawba Valley Stars, founded in 1983 by Coach Marvin Speaks Sr., have been instrumental in elevating the skills and careers of collegiate baseball players. Under Coach Speaks' guidance, numerous athletes have experienced remarkable growth and success, both in terms of their performance and their professional opportunities. In fact, more than 50 former players have transitioned to professional baseball, with many others poised to follow suit.

The Stars have engaged in numerous significant games, including but not limited to matchups against esteemed teams like the USA National Collegiate Team, Russian National Team, Chinese-Taipei National Team, Savannah Bananas, and Durham Bulls AAA Team. Remarkably, even after their tenure under Coach Speaks, players often return to contribute as coaches and attend games to reconnect with former teammates. It's worth noting that over a thousand players have had the privilege of playing for Coach Speaks, and the majority of them cherish lifelong memories and share captivating stories from their time with the Stars.