Death: longtime coach and community contributor Sam Burrell dies at 89 – According to the family, Sam Burrell, a veteran coach, and volunteer for a variety of organizations in the area died Monday as a result of pneumonia complications. Burrell died at the age of 89.
Burrell was married to Gertrude for many years and the father of former UConn athletes Abbott and Scott, as well as Evelyn. When Scott died, he said his family was “by his side.”
According to The ctinsider.com, provision of services is still pending. Sam Burrell, a graduate of both St. Mary’s in New Haven and Southern Connecticut State University, spent over a quarter-century as an assistant football and baseball coach at Yale University. Burrell also taught baseball for a decade at Hillhouse, as well as at Wilbur Cross and for Post 47 of the American Legion.
Longtime Quinnipiac University baseball coach Dan Gooley was one of the players he coached for the Legion club. Scott, who played in the NBA and is now the men’s basketball coach at Southern Connecticut State, stated, “He knew everyone and he did so much.” “He taught me more than just sports teachings; he taught me life lessons as well.” Burrell, who taught physical education in the city, also worked for Yale Athletics as a community outreach coordinator.
