Hall of Famer Sam Nugent Passes

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – Sam Nugent, a 2014 Truman Athletics Hall of Fame inductee and former coach and administrator, passed away on Monday, June 26.

Nugent served in the roles of Head Baseball Coach, Head Football Athletic Trainer and Assistant Athletics Director in the 34-years he was employed by the university. He was appointed to the University faculty at the beginning of the 1963-64 academic year and was the athletic trainer for the Bulldog Football program. In 1966, he helped restart the Baseball program that had went dormant following World War II and guided the program for 24 years between two different stints. At one time, Nugent had three former players all pitching in the major leagues with Dave Wehrmeister, Bruce Berenyi and Al Nipper representing the Bulldogs. His 236 wins is first among Bulldog Baseball skippers.

Nugent retired from coaching in 1989 and served as Assistant Athletics Director for Facilities and Operations until his retirement in 1995. He is credited with starting the Senior Babe Ruth program in Kirksville and guiding the local team to a state title in 1970. He was also involved in the Kirksville Baseball Softball Association following his retirement from Truman and worked with the city of Kirksville on the maintenance of the local playing fields.

The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday evening, June 29 at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville (1008 W. Potter Ave) and the service will by Friday at 2 p.m. also at Travis-Noe.

For obituary information, when it becomes available, please visit Travis-Noe.com

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