It's a first for us: back-to-back editions of "Where Are They Now?" featuring a son and father. This week's guest, Sam Hamstra, Jr., played baseball for the Bisons in the mid-1970s. His son, also named Sam, was featured in the last edition and also played for the Bisons. Sam (the father) came to Lipscomb from the Chicago area for the chance to play for a Hall of Fame coach. He left four years later with a degree in Music and a love of middle Tennessee. We learned about that love when he sat down with LipscombSports.com this week.
What years did you compete for Lipscomb?
I came to Lipscomb in the 70s, a great decade for Lipscomb baseball and Coach Ken Dugan, who was helped by some great assistants. I arrived on campus the fall of '72 and played through '76, the year before many of my teammates won the '77 NAIA World Series.
What teammates were most memorable?
I loved baseball, and playing for Lipscomb was like heaven on earth. We had a fall schedule, a winter schedule, and a spring schedule. The spring or regular season began with a week in Daytona Beach. I had the privilege of playing with great ball players, many of whom were recognized as All-Americans and others who would have received such recognition if they played for other colleges. Our teams worked hard to be the best we could be, expected to win every game we played, and won consistently through hitting, pitching and defense. Three of my four teams were ranked #1 in the nation at one team during the season; those teams won nearly 150 games. We advanced to one World Series.
If you forced me to name one teammate, no one was more memorable than
Bo McLaughlin, a first-round draft MLB pick in '75. We shared a bond as players from the north who began Lipscomb at the same time. We remain friends to this day.
What degrees have you earned?
I earned two unofficial degrees from Lipscomb (Baseball and Bible) and one official degree, a B.S. in Music.
Why did you attend Lipscomb?
As a senior in high school, I was looking for a Christian college with both a better climate for baseball than Chicago and a great baseball program. At the time, there was no better option than David Lipscomb College. Plus, it was but a day's drive from home.
What is your favorite athletic memory at Lipscomb?
I remember the incredible support of the fans like
Dr. Willard Collins, Lee Marsh, Mrs. Stinson, Chuck Ross, retired folk, alums, parents, girlfriends, faculty, and students who filled the bleachers on sunny afternoons. We loved playing at home and definitely had a homefield advantage.
Who influenced your athletic career at Lipscomb?
No one influenced my athletic career more than Hall of Fame
Coach Ken Dugan, who literally wrote the book on coaching baseball. I really enjoyed his practices and classroom sessions. I appreciated how he taught us how to play the game, wear our uniforms, walk off the bus ready to play, win with class when winning big, and take care of the field.
Truth be told, I still have nightmares of showing up for a game with the wrong uniform or without my glove.
What do you remember about Lipscomb campus life during your time here?
I loved everything about campus life, including the Dining Hall (never missed breakfast but never ate grits), Homecoming, Pledge Week, Tuesday evening outdoor hymn sings with
Dean Mack Wayne Craig, playing in the pep band for basketball games, intramural football, and the 7
th Floor of the High Rise.
What is the most valuable lesson you learned in your time at Lipscomb?
The campus of Lipscomb is holy ground for me. While at Lipscomb, I met a lot of great people but, more importantly, my faith deepened exponentially. I fell in love with the Bible and began sensing a call to pastoral ministry. Looking back, it is clear that I went to Lipscomb to play baseball, but the Lord had other plans.
Who were your favorite professors & why?
I loved the heavyweights of the Bible department:
Dr. Batsell Barret Baxter and
Dr. Harvey Floyd. I remember, specifically, a Floyd's class on the Holy Spirit. It had so many students it was moved to the Auditorium.
I owe a lot to
Dr. Hill Crutcher. She was the head of the Music Department, one of the best pianists in Nashville, and a lover of Lipscomb baseball. I began college as an instrumental music major, which required me to play in the college band. She knew such a course of study would conflict with baseball, so she encouraged me to focus on piano accompaniment. It was a win/win.
Where did you grow up?
Berwyn, Illinois, a collar suburb on the westside of Chicago
What do you do now?
While retirement age, I love working. These days, after 35 years of pastoral ministry, I do some writing and teaching, but my major gig is
ChapterNext, a pastor-search church consultancy. I founded ChapterNext about ten years ago. It allows me to continue fulfilling my calling of serving the local church.
Tell us about your family:
Debbie and I have been married over 45 years. We live in the westside Chicago suburb of Downers Grove but also have a small cabin in the Northwoods of Wisconsin where we spend a lot of time. Debbie is a lifelong Cubs fan so, as her loving husband, I take her to nearly every Friday Cub's game at Wrigley Field. Quite a burden to bear ??.
We have been blessed by four children and their spouses, as well as six grandchildren. Here's a tidbit: my daughter played college softball and competed against Lipscomb on the same ground (Onion Dell) I once played.
FAST FINISH:
- Favorite food: Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza
- Favorite TV show or movie: British Crime Shows
- Favorite Bible scripture: Ephesians 3:20-21
- Favorite sports team: Chicago Cubs
- Pet peeve: If I'm late, I'm dead.
- Person I'd most like to meet: John Williamson Nevin (you'll have to Google his name)
- Pick one – salad or dessert: Dessert
You can reach Sam via email at sam.hamstra.jr@gmail.com and visit his website, www.chapter-next.com. He's also on social media on these links:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sam.hamstra.9
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/mychapternext
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therevdr22
