Sam Anderson

Sam Anderson, a 1952 graduate of Benld High School, is one of the best all-around athletes to come out of CUSD #7.  While at Benld, Anderson was a 12-time varsity letterman and participated in football, basketball, baseball, and track.  As a senior, Sam was named to the All-State teams in both football and basketball.  The 6-foot 3 inch “sharpshooter” scored 760 points (27 ppg) as a senior including a 44 point performance against Carlinville.   He is the all-time leading scorer in Benld history amassing over 1300 points.  Anderson’s scoring abilities had him targeted by numerous universities including St. Louis University, University of Illinois, and Bradley. Sam would attend St. Louis University where he played basketball for one year.  He then transferred to Eastern Illinois where he was the started on the football team at end (receiver) for two years.  Anderson was also invited to a tryout for the St. Browns baseball team in 1952.