Oct. 18, 2005

BEAUMONT - Sammy Carpenter, who was an all-conference tailback on the Lamar football team in the early 1950s, passed away at his home in Orange on Monday.

A four-year letterwinner from 1951-54, Carpenter helped Lamar in its transition from a junior college to a four-year university. He was a four-year starter at tailback in the Cardinals first four years as a university.

Carpenter, who was included in the inaugural Cardinal Hall of Honor induction class in 1973, led the team in rushing all four years, including rushing for 1,005 yards in 1952. Burton Murchison is the only other Cardinal to rush for 1,000 yards in a season with 1,547 in 1985.

A two-time all-Lone Star Conference recipient in 1951 and 1952, Carpenter ranks second on the Lamar's all-time rushing list with 2,703 yards, trailing only Murchison's 3,598. He also ranks second with 4,000 all-purpose offense.

Carpenter is the school's all-time leading scorer with 33 touchdowns and 198 career points. He rushed for 210 yards against Sul Ross State in 1952, which ranks as the third best single-game total in school history. His 84-yard scamper against Texas State in 1952 ranks as the second-longest play from scrimmage in school history.

Heralded as the greatest offensive back in the first 50 years of Lamar football, Carpenter also lettered in baseball and track for the Cardinals.