Sam Adams Jr. lettered in wrestling and football at Penn Hills High School in Pittsburgh's eastern suburbs, and then came to Geneva College in the fall of 1961 as a 165-lb redshirt halfback. When he returned for his sophomore season, Sam Adams was a 210-lb tackle. He finished his career with the Covies as a four-year letterman.

Sam was a District 18 All-Star on both sides of the line of scrimmage—offensive and defensive tackle—and was elected football co-captain during his senior season. Sam also played and lettered in tennis at Geneva and was a member of the 1964 West Penn Champion tennis team.

After graduating in December 1965, Sam began his career in education, first teaching biology while coaching at New Brighton High School, then two years later in the same capacity at Beaver Falls High School.

In 1969, Sam returned to his alma mater, becoming an Assistant Professor of Education. He also became an assistant coach on the football team and head coach of Geneva's track and field team. It was at that time that Sam became interested in officiating, and he earned his stripes as a PIAA football and basketball official in 1971. Five years later, he added fast-pitch softball to his officiating resume. Sam worked hundreds of varsity football, basketball, and softball games in both Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio, including WPIAL and PIAA playoff games and finals.

Off the fields and courts, Sam served as the assigning secretary for the Beaver Valley Football Officials organization, assigning secretary and charter member of the Beaver Valley PIAA Softball Officials, and officials' assignor for all WPIAL girls' basketball games in Beaver County. In 1990, Sam became a member of the Tri-State Eastern Intercollegiate Football Officials Association, working Division II and Division III games as a field judge and then as a referee. He was elected president of that group.

In 2006, Sam retired as principal of the Beaver County AVTS and in 2016 retired from officiating with 45 years of service in both football and basketball and 40 seasons of softball. Today, Sam and his wife, Toni, live in Butler. They have four children, two step-daughters, eleven grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.