Southern Arkansas University Athletics

Sammy Furo played football in 1947 and 1948 at Southern Arkansas when it was still a junior college (Magnolia A&M).  A native of Smackover, Furo was SAU’s initial All-America selection, chosen as a second team tailback.  The Muleriders would not have another player recognized among All-America teams until 1954.

In his two years at Southern Arkansas, Furo led Elmer Smith’s Muleriders to records of 9-2-1 in 1947 and to 8-2 in 1948.  In his first year, they had regular season wins against McNeese State and Northeast Louisiana, junior colleges at the time, but now NCAA Division I schools.  The Muleriders closed that year with a scoreless tie against McNeese in a hurricane in the Cajun Bowl in Lake Charles, La. 
           
In 1948, the Muleriders were AIC co-champions, playing against several four-year colleges in the conference ranks at the time.  They again also made post-season play, beating Eastern Oklahoma A&M Junior College by a 41-12 margin in the Papoose Bowl.  
           
The oldest football record at Southern Arkansas was set in 1948 when Furo returned a punt 80 yards for a touchdown against Henderson State.  The record lasted 50 years before Jeff Sustaire returned one for 84 yards and a touchdown against Arkansas-Monticello in 1998.  The current record is 91 yards with Jason Bennett returning it for a score against Central Arkansas in 2000.
           
Furo transferred to the University of Arkansas for his final two seasons, lettering with the Razorbacks in 1949 and 1950.
           
Now retired, Sammy and his wife, Kay, reside in Hot Springs.  They have two sons, Sam, Jr. and Adam, three daughters, Patricia Leovich, Carol Fisher and Amy Horner, and seven grandchildren.