Sam was an outstanding athlete in five sports at Stivers High School. He was on the swim team, ran track, played football, basketball and baseball. He excelled in all five sports. He was a starting guard on the1918-1919 State Championship Team. He was also the captain, quarterback and kicker for the football team. He was known as “Speed Demon” and had no fear.
After graduating from Stivers, Sam enrolled at Marietta Collegewhere he played football and basketball for two years. He was alsoelected president of his freshman class.
In October of 1921 Sam was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academyin Annapolis, Maryland. He reported for service in June of 1922.He passed his entrance exam with high honors.
Sam played four years on the Academy baseball team and he may have also played on the football team but we have no documentation to substantiate that he did.
After graduating from the Naval Academy, Sam served on the USS Aroostook and the USS Chaumont in the Pacific. Sam did not make the Navy a career. Sam lived in Los Angeles and worked in sales for a period of time in the 1930’s. At one time he owned his own chemical business.
He also worked for the Jewel Tea Company in Los Angeles. He lived with his wife, mother-in-law and sister-in-law. He died in L.A. on July 23, 1986 at the age of 84.
