1997 Greater Flint African American Sports Hall of Fame Inductee
Category: Football
Sam grew up on the north end of Flint where he attended Parkland and Roosevelt Elementary, Lowell Jr. High, and Northern High School. He also attended Wayne State University, where he was the only black player on the team. Guy Houston, called Sam the most versatile athlete he ever coached.
Sam Carpenter’s sports accomplishments:
FOOTBALL:
1937 All-City Guard 2nd Team All Valley Guard
1938 Flint’s 1st Black Football Captain
Flint’s 1st Black Quarterback
Northern’s 1st Black Quarterback
Team’s leading scorer – 43 points
2nd in Valley scoring 37 points
Led team in touchdowns – 7
All-Valley Fullback
All-City
City-Valley Football Champions
Led Saginaw Valley Championship Team to an undefeated season
