The university lost a Spartan legend this week, as former Athletic Director, football, baseball and basketball coach Sam Bailey passed away on Sept. 22.
Bailey died at the age of 86, after having dedicating over 60 years of his life to the Spartans.
Bailey was born on Sanibel Island, before it was even linked to the mainland.
As a boy in the ‘30s “Sanibel Sam,” as he is still known as on Sanibel Island, played football with coconuts before it was time to take a ferry to Punta Rassa, where he would attend Fort Myers High School.
Bailey spent school weeks staying at Ma Alderman’s boarding house at a time when breakfast cost only 25 cents.
He earned 12 varsity letters at Fort Myers High, before becoming a four-sport athlete at the University of Georgia.
He lettered in football, baseball, basketball and track.
Bailey played professionally for four years with the Boston Yanks, Richmond Rebels and Erie, Penn. football teams.
His salary with the Boston Yanks was $3,000 per season with only a $600 signing bonus.
Following his four-year professional career, Bailey began his 60-year relationship with The University of Tampa, although Sanibel Island was never far from his mind.
Former Sanibel mayor Marty Harrity said that Bailey gave every teenager graduating from high school a $100 check, according to an article posted by news-press.com.
Bailey’s collegiate coaching career began in 1950, when he began serving as the head basketball coach and the head line coach for the football team at UT.
Two years later, Bailey was named the head baseball coach, while still assuming roles as the head basketball coach. It wasn’t until 1955 that Bailey stepped down as the basketball coach.
After two years, Bailey was named as the assistant athletic director.
He was named the athletic business manager and public relations director in the athletic department four years later.
Five years later he was promoted again, this time, in 1962, becoming athletic director.
In 1962, he became the school’s ninth football coach.
Under Bailey, UT named seven players to the Little All-America Team.
Former 49ers great, Freddie Solomon played for Bailey. Solomon was a second round draft pick of the Miami Dolphins in the 1975 NFL draft. He played 11 NFL seasons and won two super bowls with the San Francisco 49ers.
John Matuszak also played football for Bailey at UT. Matuszak was the first overall pick of the 1973 draft, and like Solomon, won two super bowls. On top of being a football player, Matuszak also finished ninth in the 1978 World’s Strongest Man competition and played the Sloth in the 1985 film, The Goonies.
In 1967, Bailey took over as the sole athletic director and in 1971 was named UT’s special assistant to the president for athletic affairs. In 1975 the Spartan football team was shut down due to financial issues.
Bailey fought hard to keep UT on the football field and was subsequently fired by the former president of the university.
But Bailey continued to stay true to Tampa.“In spite of his departure, Sam always remained loyal to the university and to the student athletes,” said Larry Marfise, current athletic director. “He was a great mentor to those who came after him and was always willing to help to ensure that the athletic department stayed vibrant and successful.
“Sam supported the university in many ways and an endowment was started in his name to help future student athletes.”
Bailey was inducted into the UT Athletics Hall of Fame in 1966. He is also honored each year by the “Sam Bailey Lifetime Achievement Award,” which is presented to an individual that provides exceptional service to the University of Tampa in numerous areas including: employment, financial support, voluntary services and a lifetime fan of UT athletics.
As if Bailey didn’t already leave a legacy at Sanibel Island, he wrote a book in 2008 entitled A Sanibel Son Looks Back, which depicts his life of growing up on the tiny island.
Bailey had a brain tumor and underwent surgery on Sept. 13, according to news-press.com. He came through the surgery, but developed a blood clot soon afterward, which led to his death.
Sam Bailey left behind his wife Cookie three daughters and three grandchildren.
Kyle Bennett can be reached at minaret.sports@gmail.com