Trombatore led the Wolf Pack in scoring for the 1942-43 campaign.
- At the end of another 14-win year, Loyola received an invitation to play in the National Association of Intercollege Basketball (NAIB) championship tournament in Kansas City.
- But Jackson and a sub G were called to active duty with the U.S. Army Air Corps. In addition, starting G Bob Segura, a reserve officer attending the dental school, couldn't leave campus because of travel restrictions for military students.
- Left with only six players, Orsley reluctantly turned down the post-season invitation.
The draft board still hadn't caught up with Trombatore as the 1943-44 season began.
- With the Dixie Conference not active because schools lost so many players to the armed forces, Loyola competed in the New Orleans Senior Amateur Athletic Union league against teams from military units and local recreational clubs.
- Sam exploded for 36 points - a normal score for an entire team in that era - against Kingsley House.
- The Wolf Pack finished with a 21-3 record. Trombatore tallied 488 points or 25.7 ppg despite missing five games with a sprained ankle.
- He earned an Honorable Mention on the Associated Press All-America team and the local nickname "Point-a-Minute."
- The Times-Picayune described Sam's versatility: The way Trombatore made the goals was the thing! He made them from the left side, from the right side and from the middle - they all looked alike to him.
Finally, in April 1944, Sam departed for active service in the U.S. Army.
- At first devastated by the loss of the player that he felt possessed more all-around ability than any other he had coached, Orsley benefitted from the additon of some older players leaving the service to craft an even better squad.
- Loyola not only accepted an invitation to the 1945 NAIB Tournament but won it.
Trombatore returned to Loyola after his war service.
- He played two more seasons, helping the Wolf Pack to a 16-9 record in 1946-7 and 21-9 in 1947-8. The latter season included two victories over LSU.
- Loyola inducted Sam into its Athletics Hall of Fame in 1967. He is also enshrined in the American Italian Renaissance Foundation Museum's Sports Hall of Fame in New Orleans.
- Sam died in 1991 at age 67.