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<p><em>Samuel Frank “Sam” Champi Jr.</em> was born on October 21, 1944 in Newark, NJ. The strong personal principles that would guide Sam throughout his adult life were instilled during his formative years by his family, faith, Catholic education and athletic participation, which were later strengthened by his years at the United States Military Academy and in his military service. He attended Sacred Heart Elementary School, where his love of learning (he graduated No. 1 in eighth grade) and sports first became apparent.</p>
<p>While at Seton Hall Prep (SHP), Sam excelled in athletics, earning multiple letters in football, basketball and baseball. As in elementary school, Sam finished his senior year as valedictorian of his class. During his final football season at SHP, Sam earned All-County and All-State honors. He was also named the “Outstanding Scholar/Athlete” in Essex County New Jersey. In the winter of his final year, he was named captain of the basketball team, and that spring, in only his second track meet, Sam won the 1962 NJ State Javelin Championship. Due to his academic and athletic accomplishments, Sam was subsequently inducted in the SHP and the city of Newark halls of fame.</p>
<p>Sam’s achievements in the classroom and on the football field led to multiple college academic and athletic scholarship offers. However, Sam’s desire to attend West Point started long before his high school senior year. According to Sam, it began as a young boy watching the TV series West Point and Army-Navy games. The more he learned about West Point, the more Sam wanted the challenges that the Academy presented: academically, athletically and militarily. His high school football coach intimated to Sam that he wasn’t tough enough to play for Army, which only strengthened his resolve. </p>
<p>During his years at West Point, Sam more than overcame its challenges. Academically, Sam was never off the dean’s list and ranked in the top five percent of his class all four years, eventually graduating 10th (of 579 cadets) in the Class of 1966. Athletically, although Sam also played plebe basketball under Bobby Knight, Army football was where his skills set would dominate. During his playing career at his Rockbound Highland Home, Sam played both offense and defense, earning three varsity letters and five All-East honors. At the end of his final season in 1965, Sam had played the most minutes of any Army player for two consecutive years, been named MVP of the 1965 Army-Navy Game and selected to play in the North-South Shrine Game. He was also named to the All-East Football Team, and the Academic All-American Team. Finally, he was honored by the National Football Foundation as a scholar-athlete. A teammate recalled a moment during a game film session when Head Coach Paul Dietzel re-ran an offensive play multiple times to show Sam’s devastating block of a linebacker and said, “We all need to make this kind of effort, that Sam did here, on every play.” This pretty much captures Sam’s focus throughout his life. Militarily, during the summer of firstie year, Sam was the cadet commanding officer at Camp Buckner and then a cadet captain and commander of Third Regiment.</p>
<p>Prior to graduating, Sam asked for and received the Army’s permission to pursue a master’s degree in civil engineering at Princeton University before starting his military service. While working toward his degree, Sam not only became a member of the university’s football staff but more importantly met the love of his life, Ruselyn (Russi) Baggot (from Evanston, IL and a student at nearby Centenary University), on a blind date. They were married in 1967.</p>
<p>After Princeton, Sam started his military service by attending the U.S. Army Ranger School at Fort Benning, GA, where he received the Ranger Tab. After, he received orders for Vietnam and was assigned to the 577th Engineer Battalion (Construction) as a company commander. </p>
<p>From Vietnam, Sam returned to his family and to Fort Belvoir, VA to attend the Engineer Officer Advanced Course (1969-70). His next and last stop was at West Point as an instructor in the Earth Space and Graphic Sciences Department (1970-73).</p>
<p>Sam resigned his commission in 1973, moved his growing family to New Jersey and began the rest of his life. His business life included Engineers Inc. (SVP, 1973-81), Modular Structures Inc. (SVP, 1981-90), and Point Construction (founder and president, 1990-2002). At Point, Sam was involved in a few projects that were close to his heart: the renovation of the Commandant’s Quarters and the construction of Johnson Stadium at Doubleday Field at West Point. His company is also responsible for the Yogi Berra Baseball Stadium and Museum at Montclair State University in New Jersey. In addition to his family, planning boards and other civic commitments, Sam found his other true passion in Little League Baseball. For over 40 years he guided his teams to countless league championships and district and sectional titles, plus two state championships. Though an intimidating figure at 6-feet, 5-inches, he had an easy-going demeanor and strong sense of humor that put most people at ease. Sam will always be remembered as a person of integrity, honesty and intelligence with an unparalleled work ethic. </p>
<p>After a long and courageous battle with respiratory illnesses, he died on August 4, 2021. Sam is the son of the late Samuel and Rose Champi and is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Ruselyn (Baggot) Champi; their five children: Sam Jr. Champi (Jill), Bill Champi (Alyssa), Cristine Champi, Kimberly Krenik, and Dana Champi; and seven grandchildren. Well Done, Sam; Be Thou at Peace.</p>
<p><em>— Family and Classmates</em></p>
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