Giambelluca: Driving force behind Hall of Fame, museum

Sam Giambelluca places a miniature helmet in Billy Piper's case. Piper's display was among the first ones to go into the Sports Hall of Fame in the Poplar Bluff Museum. (Corey Matthews/DAR) [Click to enlarge]

By DAVID SILVERBERG ~ DAR Associate Edito

While supporting athletes and preserving history, Sam Giambelluca has touched hundreds of lives.

"Sam has helped a whole lot of kids. All keep in touch with him," said Derland Moore, "He changed the lives of a lot of kids. He teaches a lot more than just teaching track."

Moore graduated from Poplar Bluff High School in 1969 and is in the Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame.

"He has been my mentor. He is like a second Dad to me," Moore said. "Without Sam's help, I would not have become a football player."

Moore had been throwing the shot put during his senior year, but his father needed his help on the family farm.

"Sam was instrumental in talking my dad into letting me have time off from driving the tractor so I could throw the shot put in the sectional AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) meet," said Moore, who advanced to the regionals. At Norman, Okla., Moore attracted the attention of the University of Oklahoma track coach.

Then he became a walk on defensive tackle on the Sooners football team. Moore was an All-American football player in college and played 14 years in the National Football League (13 with the New Orleans Saints and 1 with the New York Jets).

"Sam was instrumental in getting me elected to the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame," Moore said.

Tom Hoover has served on the Sports Hall of Fame board with Giambelluca since its formation in 1981. Hoover was the high school principal from 1973 to 1994 and acting superintendent for seven months.

"Sam is the driving force behind the Hall of Fame and the museum," said Hoover. "It was Sam's idea. He had the dream."

Hoover said it was in existence prior to the Missouri Hall of Fame and has been copied by other communities.

"He has been a friend of mine since I was in junior high in 1948. He took me under his wings as a kid.," said Hoover, who recalled Giambelluca being "my first basketball coach" at Sacred Heart School.

"I couldn't count the number of lives Sam has touched," said Jay Githens, who is the new board chairman at the Poplar Bluff Museum.

"The Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame is a testament to Sam's leadership, hard work and vision," Githens said. "Without Sam's efforts, the Poplar Bluff Museum and the knowledge it holds would not be available to future generations."

Githens said he did not know anyone who has made a bigger contribution to Poplar Bluff.

"Sam is just a treasure," Githens said.

The museum board is raising money for tuck-pointing the north side of the building.

"Any donation will be appreciated, but we are suggesting $80 as a fitting tribute to Sam," Githens said. Giambelluca recently celebrated his 80th birthday.

"Sam is a doer," museum board member Raona Hentz said. "He knows the key people who will get things done."

Museum board member Bill Hogg said, "Sam has done a good job. He is really a dedicated man."

"The museum would not be there without Sam," said David Johnson, one of the original museum board members. "He was the key to unlock all the doors to get it going. He provided the motivation to get people to do the work."

Johnson said his father, Kirby, had worked with Giambelluca at AAU track meets and "got me started volunteering with Sam." Johnson quoted his father as saying, "Sam will work you to death, but you will enjoy doing it."

Other museum board members are president Dale Gaebler, vice president Ben Traxel, recording secretary Nova Montgomery, corresponding secretary Evelyn Whitworth, treasurer John Holland, Ralph Allison, George Stewart, Kati Wylie, Dan Resnik, Fred Crook and David Boyer.

"Sam got me my job here because he was such a big track person," said Bill Caputo, who is retired after 37 years at Poplar Bluff High School. He coached several sports and was athletic director 13 years.

When asked about the Sports Hall of Fame and the museum, Caputo said, "Sam got the ball rolling and kept it rolling all these years. The history is irreplaceable."

Daily American Republican Editor Stan Berry, who was on the original Sports Hall of Fame board, has watched the Hall of Fame and museum develop over the years.

"That museum is one of the most professional you'll see anywhere," Berry said.

The museum, including the Sports Hall of Fame, is open 2-4 p.m. Sundays.

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Related story: Giambelluca stepping down as chair