Museum grew from Sports Hall of Fame

The Poplar Bluff Museum has tales about us, our family and our history. I want to tell you some of those tales found within the museum walls.

Sam Giambelluca had previously founded the SEMO Track Club and the Poplar Bluff Letterman Club Sports Banquet.

In 1981, he founded the Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame. The first board members were Bob Gray, Robert Thatcher, Paul Hogg, E.E. “Bus” Carr, Tom Hoover, John Lawson and Stan Berry. The first recipients were Carmen Henderson, E.T. Peters and Billy Piper.

This annual honor still continues today. Initially, the awards were displayed in the Poplar Bluff High School gymnasium, but Sam was looking for a permanent home for the Sports Hall of Fame.

In 1988, the Mark Twain School was closed and Sam formed the Poplar Bluff Museum board. His first priority was to move the Hall of Fame to the museum.

It was the first exhibit completed.

As the rooms of the school filled with new exhibits and the building developed into a first class museum, the Sports Hall of Fame was still the “Crown Jewel.” It stands as a symbol of pride for the community. Poplar Bluff is proud of their world class athletes.

Recognized in the Sports Hall of Fame are competitors from all sports. Men and women from football, basketball, baseball, softball, boxing, fencing, bowling, canoing, golf, track, cross country, long jump, pole vault and hurdles are honored.

Even coaches, officials, journalists and broadcasters are recognized.

The Hall of Fame includes our football, basketball and golf championship teams. Many of our athletes have continued on to have successful careers in professional sports and the Olympics.

Besides the wall of Hall of Fame award plaques, there are rows of display cases with artifacts from our famous athletes. They include helmets, jerseys, balls, shoes, photos and personal items any fan would enjoy.

One of our favorite displays is a 2015 State Championship ring from the Poplar Bluff High School Girls Track Team. It was presented to Judy Giambelluca and family.

Sam had passed away just two months earlier and had always wanted to bring a track championship home to Poplar Bluff. Judy donated the ring to the museum and we are honored to be entrusted in its care.

The ring is part of the Sam Giambelluca exhibit. Sam was inducted into the Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame in 1986.

The museum is handicap accessible and 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.