By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor
SUAMICO – Sam Plumb, a 2020 Bay Port High School graduate, grew up playing sports in the shadows of his two older siblings, Hattie and Jack.
Hattie recently graduated from Illinois State University after a successful career on the cross country and track teams, while Jack is playing football at the University of Iowa.
“During my first two years of high school, I did feel I was trying to live up to their legacy a bit,” said Sam, the son of John and Susie Plumb. “My last two years, the keys were in my hands, so I had to drive the car and do everything they did to be successful, plus add my own flavor. They were huge supporters of me and taught me lots.”
Plumb said he learned how to compete from Hattie.
“Hattie was extremely dedicated to her craft,” he said. “She ate well, was a huge competitor and always did a little extra to gain an edge.”
He said Jack taught him more about the mental side of things.
“I wore the same numbers Jack did in high school,” said Plumb, who describes himself as empathetic, outgoing and helpful. “He always stayed calm and kept his emotions in check. Once a play was done, he moved on to the next one.”
Sam ran track and played football and basketball all four years of his high school career.
He was on the WIAA Division 1 state runner-up football team last fall and was named the Fox River Classic Conference Receiver of the Year in 2019.
“The state title game (a 21-10 loss to Muskego) was the highlight of my high school career,” Plumb said. “Even though we lost, seeing 22 fan busses travel to Madison and all the community support was something I’ll never forget.”
He finished his senior year in conference with 15 catches for 428 yards receiving and eight touchdown receptions.
Plumb will be heading to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, a Division III school, in mid-August to play football and possibly run track.
“I’m not sure what I’ll study yet, but I’m excited to get on campus and get going,” he said. “I hope things are a go this fall. My senior year of high school football made me realize I wanted to continue at the collegiate level.”
Plumb was also selected for the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association all-star game, but it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
His 1,600-meter relay team finished runner-up at the 2019 state track meet by less than two-tenths of a second.
“That’s the one thing about missing the season due to COVID – we had everyone returning, and I think we could have won a state relay title,” he said.
He said his most embarrassing sports moment involved running.
“During my freshman year, Alaina Abel and I had social studies together,” said Plumb. “We ran against one another in a short, 40-yard dash in the parking lot, and I lost to her. Alaina is a great athlete, so I shouldn’t feel too bad. I’ve asked for a rematch, but she has yet to accept my offer.”
His hobbies include sports, fishing at his grandma’s house on Lake Leone and boating.
Plumb also likes Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, chili cheese dogs, cookies and cream ice cream, the phone app TikTok and the month of July.
An NFL coaching family
By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor
SUAMICO – When it comes to the National Football League and coaching, Sam Plumb, a 2020 Bay Port High School graduate, doesn’t have to look any further than his parents.
Sam’s parents, John and Susie Plumb, both had fathers who coached in the NFL, and Susie’s cousin, Pat Shurmur, also has NFL head coaching experience.
“My dad’s dad is Ted Plumb, and my mom’s dad is Fritz Shurmur,” said Sam Plumb.
Ted Plumb was a longtime assistant coach, most notably for the Chicago Bears as a receivers coach during the team’s 1985 Super Bowl season.
“My dad went to high school in Georgia his freshman through junior years when his dad was coaching with the Atlanta Falcons,” Plumb said. “Then he moved to Chicago for his senior year.”
Plumb said his father was the ball boy for the Bears when Buddy Ryan was defensive coordinator.
“Two of my dad’s best friends in high school were Rex and Rob Ryan,” he said. “My dad played tight end, Rob was the right tackle and Rex was the right guard. It’s fun listening to my dad tell stories about those days.”
Rex and Rob, the sons of Buddy, also have extensive NFL coaching resumes.
Sam’s mom went to high school in the New England area, where her dad was coaching with the Patriots.
“My mom’s dad is Fritz Shurmur, the former defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers when they won their Super Bowl after the 1996 season,” said Plumb. “Her cousin, Pat Shurmur, was the head coach for the New York Giants (2018-19) and the Cleveland Browns 2011-12) and is now the offensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos.”
Plumb said his parents met in 1991 when both of their dads were coaching with the Cardinals.
“There was a family, preseason get-together, and that’s where my parents met,” he said. “When my grandpa Shurmur died in 1999, my parents came to Green Bay and bought a house to help my grandma Shurmur. They were thinking of staying here for a few years, but they realized it was an awesome place to raise their kids and they’re still here. Between the two of them, they’ve lived in 12 states during their lifetimes.”