Athletics Hall of Fame
Hammerstrom, class of 1940, set the Union mark for most rushing yards in a game with 236 vs. Rochester on November 11, 1939. Hammerstrom captained that year’s Dutchmen squad to their first undefeated season in 25 years (7-0-1), rushing for 1,143 yards and leading the East and finishing fourth in the country in points with 86 (13 touchdowns and eight extra points). That same season he was the team’s top passer and punter. Those around the Union campus affectionately knew Hammerstrom as the “Big Swede” and he was appropriately dubbed “Slammin Sammy” by his gridiron opponents. Feared by defenses throughout the East, Hammerstrom was held under 100 yards in a game only once during his senior year. Hammerstrom’s efforts as a senior earned him “Small College All-American Honors,” recognition on the United Press’ 1939 All-Upstate New York football team and a spot on the 1940 Eastern College All-star football team that played against the Giants in the Polo Grounds. Perhaps the greatest honor to be bestowed upon Hammerstrom was the prestigious Bailey Cup for his overall contributions to Union. After graduating from Union, Hammerstrom returned to the College as a coach from 1950-1957, posting a season best record of 6-2 in 1956. He was honored by three local sportswriters that year as “Coach of the Year.” Hammerstrom, who died in 1995, is widely-considered to be the finest football player in Union’s long and glorious history.
