Sam Giambelluca, the father of PB sports

In case you didn’t know, there is a museum here in Poplar Bluff. It has tales of us, our family, and our history. I want to tell you some of those tales found within the museum walls.

Eagle Scout Sam Giambelluca graduated Poplar Bluff High School in 1946. He made a lifelong commitment to Poplar Bluff athletics, changing Poplar Bluff sports programs forever.

Sam was the first president of the Poplar Bluff Little League and originated the Mid-South Senior Olympics. He served on the Poplar Bluff Parks and Recreation Board and as chairman of the Ozark Association Junior Olympics. Sam founded the SEMO Track Club and the Poplar Bluff Letter Club Gridiron Banquet.

He was the founder of the Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame and the Poplar Bluff Museum.

Sam went above and beyond local sports. He became the national chairman of the USA Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). He served as chairman for 16 years. He brought AAU track meets to Poplar Bluff. Sam was the director of the AAU Women’s Junior National Outdoor Track and Field championships and the AAU Junior Olympic Basketball national championships. He even served as a referee in AAU events.

Sam was inducted in the Missouri Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1982 and lovingly into the Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame in 1986. Poplar Bluff High School named their athletic track after Sam Giambelluca. Sam’s Hall of Fame plaque, his AAU uniforms, sports memorabilia, photos and awards are on display in the Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame. His family history is on display in the People Room, and his Eagle Scout award is displayed in the Scout Room. All these exhibits are located in the Poplar Bluff Museum.

The museum is open every Sunday free of charge from 1-4 p.m. at 1010 Main St., Poplar Bluff (formerly the Old Mark Twain School). Tell them Mike sent you!

Mike Shane is a veteran, Poplar Bluff resident and board member for the Poplar Bluff Museum.