Taylor Polk’s wife, Katie Knox, has been a Troy University School of Nursing professor since August 1, 2024.
Ariton High School assistant baseball coach Taylor Polk died on Friday, February 21, 2025, at UAB Hospital after suffering a cardiac issue at practice last week.
Highlights
- Taylor Polk passed away at 31 on February 21, 2025, due to a cardiac issue.
- Polk was married to Katie Knox, with whom he shared a son named Judge.
- He was born to his father, Eddie Polk, and his mother, Stephanie Catt-Polk.
AHSAA Executive Director Heath Harmon poured a small tribute to Taylor by stating,
“His positive impact as a coach and mentor for our high school student-athletes and coaches alike will continue to have a long-lasting effect,” “So many have been touched by his leadership, perseverance, courage and faith.”
Heath Harmon
Ariton principal Josh Herring remembered the time working with Taylor. He wrote,
“(When) I hired Coach Polk, one thing that stood out to me about him was his willingness to do anything for anyone no matter what it was, whether in his professional career in special education or in his coaching career,” “He had that unique ability to put himself second and always put others first. In this life we have so many adults that struggle with putting others first. Coach Polk had no struggle with that. He was willing to do anything for everybody and his abilities as a person bled over into his profession as a teacher and a coach. His willingness to be a servant and to help made him good at everything he did.”
Josh Herring
Polk’s former college head coach, Neal Brown, took to his official Twitter handle and wrote,
“This is so sad,” “Prayers up for his family. Taylor was a pleasure to coach. He obviously made a tremendous impact. Taken way too soon.”
Neal Brown
Troy Trojan Football took to their official Facebook handle and sent prayers to Polk’s family. They wrote,
Our hearts are broken … Lifting up prayers to Taylor Polk’s family, friends and teammates.
Troy Trojans Football
Polk’s sister, Allison Claire Polk, also poured a tribute through her social media handle by stating,
What a beautiful tribute. To see that Taylor had such an impact on so many people is not only encouraging but a comfort. God used Taylor in many ways and here is the proof. Love you forever, big brother.
Allison Claire Polk
As per the source, funeral arrangements are being managed at Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark.
A 2012 Demopolis High School graduate, Polk was a long snapper for the Troy University football team who earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Troy.
Taylor taught special education at Ariton for seven years. He was an assistant for the back-to-back defending baseball champions and JV basketball coach.
Polk was the interim head baseball coach and assistant baseball and football coach at Charles Henderson High in Troy from 2017 to 2018.
Coach Taylor Polk will be remembered forever for his unforgettable contributions to baseball.
Rest in Peace, Taylor Polk.
Taylor Polk Was Married To Katie Knox For 6 Years
After dating for several years, Ariton baseball coach Taylor Polk, 31, who was born in 1993, married Katie Knox in 2018. Katie has also shared a glimpse of their marriage on her social media handles.
They were blessed with a son named Judge Polk in 2022. Sadly, their married life ended after six years following the tragic death of Taylor.
Recently, Katie took to her official Facebook handle to announce the tragic news and share her sorrow with the world.
She expressed her grief and gratitude, acknowledging the tremendous support her family had received from the community.
At 9:10 tonight my world shattered. My best friend and love of my life is gone. Selfishly, I am angry and frustrated for Taylor Polk to have been taken from me so early. However, through this unimaginable experience I have seen what God does in a community. To anyone and everyone who has reached out to me or our family and to those who flooded us in prayers, thank you from the very bottom of my heart. To our Purple Cat family, Taylor loved his job and his students and everyone he worked with making you alll irreplaceable to me for making him so happy. I rejoice in the fact that I will see Taylor every single day in the face and actions of our little boy, and I find peace and comfort knowing his body is completely restored. This is not the end for us, because I know I will see Taylor again and we will have a true eternity together. In the coming days, your prayers are more than appreciated for us.
Katie Knox
The University of Alabama graduate Sydney Edmonds sent prayers to Katie Knox through her Facebook handle by stating,
Continuing to pray for Katie Knox and all those who knew and loved Coach Polk!
Sydney Edmonds
Closed ones and relatives have offered their heartfelt condolences to Katie and Polk’s family and urged them to stay strong in this challenging time.
According to Katie’s Facebook handle, she studied Doctorate Nursing Practice (DNP) and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) at Troy University.
She is a Registered Nurse with a Master’s Degree in Nursing at Dothan Pediatric Clinic and Flowers Hospital, a Professor at Troy University School of Nursing, and a Family nurse practitioner at Troy Pediatric & Collegiate Health.
Coach Taylor Polk’s Parents Are Mourning The Loss Of Their Son
Taylor Polk was born to his father, Eddie Polk, and his mother, Stephanie Catt-Polk, in Demopolis, Alabama.
His mother, Stephanie, attended Clinton High School and later studied at the University of Mississippi—Ole Miss.
On the other hand, Eddie attended Prentiss Senior High School and later studied at Hinds Community College. He is currently a Territory Manager at Orgill-Inc.
Recently, Eddie took to his official Facebook handle and poured a small tribute to his late son, Taylor. He wrote,
We will never know the people he has touched until we meet him again!!
Eddie Polk
Stephanie also took to her Facebook handle and thanked everyone for their prayers. She wrote,
To say I’m overwhelmed is an understatement. The tributes and post about Taylor’s influence is beyond anything I could have imagined. We knew how special he was but his influence on others is truly amazing for his young life my pain is unbearable but to read these posts, texts, messages are truly a blessing. He was the best son anyone could ever have. And a wonderful husband, father, coach, teacher and friend. Please continue to pray for us, wife , her family , son , and everyone that loved him. We lost a good one!
Stephanie Catt-Polk
Additional Information
- Taylor Polk grew up with his three sisters: Abbey Dianne Polk, Allison Claire Polk, and Ashley Polk Carroll.
- At Demopolis High School, Taylor helped lead the team to the 2009 5A state title and was named offensive lineman of the Year.
- Polk was 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighed 240 lbs.
