BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Former Campbell two-sport standout and Hall of Fame member Sam Bishop passed away on July 8, 2026 at the age of 86.  A baseball and basketball star from 1961-64, Bishop was inducted into the Campbell Athletics Hall of Fame in 1996.  He starred in basketball for Coach Fred McCall and in baseball under Coach Hargrove Davis.
 
Sam was born in Riverside, NJ to the late Earl and Katherine (née Houghton) Bishop.  He was a lifelong parishioner of Sacred Heart Church in Riverton. He enjoyed a 40 year career at Hoeganaes Corp., was an avid golfer and coached many local sports teams, including Holy Cross girls' basketball. Sam was a huge fan of Philadelphia sports teams and Notre Dame football, which held a special place in his heart; as did his Irish heritage, his Catholic faith and his love for the USA.
 
Along with fellow Campbell Hall of Fame members Calvin and Charles Koonce and Mike Reidy, Bishop was a major player in Campbell's transition from the junior college to the senior college level.  A member of Campbell's final junior college state championship basketball team in 1961, Bishop holds the distinction of playing in Campbell's first-ever senior college games in both basketball and baseball.
 
On the basketball court, Bishop averaged double figure points and rebounds for the Camels.  The 6-foot-7 center is believed to be the first player to dunk the basketball in a college game for the Camels.  During his freshman year, the right-handed pitcher tossed a no-hitter against North Carolina Wesleyan and struck out 24 batters in the process.
 
Following his Campbell career, Bishop pitched for two seasons in the St. Louis Cardinals' organization at St. Petersburg in the Florida State League and Rock Hill (S.C.) in the Western Carolina League.  At Rock Hill, he played for manager Sparky Anderson, who later managed the Cincinnati Reds and Detroit Tigers to World Series championships.  Bishop's roommate at Rock Hill was future Hall of Fame pitcher Steve Carlton.
 
Sam is survived by his loving wife of 62+ years, Marilyn (née Pine), his children, Colleen (Chris) Anninos and Bill (Lisa) Bishop. Sam's grandchildren, Samantha (Kevin) Miller, Nicholas Anninos, Audrey Bishop and Andrew Bishop were the light of his life. He attended all of their awards ceremonies, sports games and events they were involved in. He was a loving great- grandfather to Rory and Beau Miller. Sam is also survived by his brother, Neil Bishop, and many nieces, nephews and friends.
 
Sam was preceded in death by his siblings, Earl, Charles "Tootsie", and Mary.

Memories of Sam Bishop
 
Bob Etheridge '65 | Basketball teammate
He was a great ball player and a great guy.  I don't know if he was better at basketball or baseball because he was outstanding at both.  He loved life and was willing to help because Lord knows I was green as a gourd when I got there. He made a difference in life, in sports and in his community.