Sam Huff

Football

Robert Lee "Sam" Huff is one of the most well-known and recognized athletes to ever play at WVU.

Huff was born in Edna Gas and grew up in the coal mining camps in Farmington, W.Va., about 30 miles south of Morgantown. Huff's father, uncles and brothers all worked in the coal mines and he wanted a different life so he took up football, playing well enough at Farmington High to earn a scholarship to West Virginia University.

Huff was a four-year letterwinner and three-year starter at guard and tackle for Coach Art "Pappy" Lewis, teaming with Bruce Bosley and Gene "Beef" Lamone to give West Virginia one of college football's most formidable lines in the mid-1950s. A tough and intimidating player, Huff was also agile enough as a blocker to pave the way for backs Joe Marconi, Tommy Allman, Bobby Moss and Fred Wyant.

He helped lead WVU to a combined four-year mark of 31-7 and a berth in the 1954 Sugar Bowl. The Mountaineers were also able to defeat Penn State three years in a row while Huff wore the Gold and Blue.

For his accomplishments, the 1955 co-captain was named first team All-America by the NEA Service, Look Magazine, Jet Magazine and NBC-TV, while earning third-team All-America honors from UPI. Huff was also an oustanding student, earning first team Academic All-America honors.


  • Position: Guard/Tackle
  • Hometown: Farmington, W.Va.
  • Inducted into WVU Hall of Fame: 1991