Warren B. Sampson, Jr.
One of Branford's premier contributors to Branford youth, 2014 Branford's Education Hall of Fame inductee Warren B. Sampson, Jr., served the town in many capacities: founder, instructor, official and he was most known for being an outstanding teacher and coach of football, basketball and baseball at Branford High School.
Born in Englewood, New Jersey on April 9, 1915, Sampson grew up in Plymouth, Massachusetts and graduated from Plymouth High School. A graduate of Springfield College, he lettered in football, swimming and was believed to have won several collegiate level diving championships. In August of 1935, Sampson married the former Virginia H. Elliot of Newton, Massachusetts and they had five children, Elliott, Priscilla, Pamela, Ginger and Barbara.
His first teaching job came at the Abraham Kellogg High School in Treadwell, New York, followed by teaching and coaching in Oneonta, New York and at Central Islip High School in Long Island. In 1944, Sampson arrived at Branford High School where he taught science, first aid and physical education classes and was also the Dean of Boys.
Sampson was a no-nonsense teacher and coach who quickly earned the respect of students. He became a mentor to high school students and to younger students as well. Countless BHS students sought his advice about school situations, post high school plans, personal issues and, of course, athletics. Former students remember him as always being fair and encouraging. As a coach he was a task master who demanded effort, focus and dedication. Robert Geier, a member of Branford's 1944-1945 State Championship team said, "I would classify Coach Sampson as a player-type coach. He spent a lot of time with his players, a lot of private instruction. His players had the greatest respect for him." The same could be said about his relationship with his classroom students.
As a basketball coach, Sampson quickly emerged as one of Connecticut's top coaches. In his first year of coaching the boys' basketball team, Sampson led the Hornets to a 16-6 record in the 1944-45 season and a Class B State Championship. The following year Branford improved its record to 17-5 and once again captured the Class B State Championship and the Housatonic League title as well. In the 1946-47 season, Sampson and his Hornets had a perfect season, with a 21-0 record and another Class B State Championship and Housatonic League title.
In his remaining five years as the Hornet head basketball coach, Sampson claimed one additional Housatonic League championship in 1950-51 as that team finished the season with a 14-5 record. In eight years as a coach, Sampson finished with a record of 113-47, for a winning percentage of .706 and included a 37 game winning streak during his career. Coach Sampson was honored many times, but perhaps most notably when the Connecticut High School Coaches Association named the CIAC Class M Most Valuable Player award for him. In Branford, Sampson was a member of the Branford Recreation Advisory Board and the first Little League field is named "Sampson Field" in his honor. For a generation of former Branford High School students, Warren Sampson is still re membered as having had an enormous positive impact on their lives.
Warren B. Sampson, Jr. passed away suddenly on August 30, 1952 at the age of 37.
Born in Englewood, New Jersey on April 9, 1915, Sampson grew up in Plymouth, Massachusetts and graduated from Plymouth High School. A graduate of Springfield College, he lettered in football, swimming and was believed to have won several collegiate level diving championships. In August of 1935, Sampson married the former Virginia H. Elliot of Newton, Massachusetts and they had five children, Elliott, Priscilla, Pamela, Ginger and Barbara.
His first teaching job came at the Abraham Kellogg High School in Treadwell, New York, followed by teaching and coaching in Oneonta, New York and at Central Islip High School in Long Island. In 1944, Sampson arrived at Branford High School where he taught science, first aid and physical education classes and was also the Dean of Boys.
Sampson was a no-nonsense teacher and coach who quickly earned the respect of students. He became a mentor to high school students and to younger students as well. Countless BHS students sought his advice about school situations, post high school plans, personal issues and, of course, athletics. Former students remember him as always being fair and encouraging. As a coach he was a task master who demanded effort, focus and dedication. Robert Geier, a member of Branford's 1944-1945 State Championship team said, "I would classify Coach Sampson as a player-type coach. He spent a lot of time with his players, a lot of private instruction. His players had the greatest respect for him." The same could be said about his relationship with his classroom students.
As a basketball coach, Sampson quickly emerged as one of Connecticut's top coaches. In his first year of coaching the boys' basketball team, Sampson led the Hornets to a 16-6 record in the 1944-45 season and a Class B State Championship. The following year Branford improved its record to 17-5 and once again captured the Class B State Championship and the Housatonic League title as well. In the 1946-47 season, Sampson and his Hornets had a perfect season, with a 21-0 record and another Class B State Championship and Housatonic League title.
In his remaining five years as the Hornet head basketball coach, Sampson claimed one additional Housatonic League championship in 1950-51 as that team finished the season with a 14-5 record. In eight years as a coach, Sampson finished with a record of 113-47, for a winning percentage of .706 and included a 37 game winning streak during his career. Coach Sampson was honored many times, but perhaps most notably when the Connecticut High School Coaches Association named the CIAC Class M Most Valuable Player award for him. In Branford, Sampson was a member of the Branford Recreation Advisory Board and the first Little League field is named "Sampson Field" in his honor. For a generation of former Branford High School students, Warren Sampson is still re membered as having had an enormous positive impact on their lives.
Warren B. Sampson, Jr. passed away suddenly on August 30, 1952 at the age of 37.