A great many things could be said about Jeff Sommer. He was a caring, passionate coach with a love of his sport and his athletes; a man whom no one could find fault in. Whose genuine smile could not only turn your day around, but could motivate you to excel to heights in which you thought you could only fathom.

On Friday, Estero High School held a special memorial service, in which many who were touched by Sommer were in attendance. A memorial podium donated by the Estero graduating class of 2015 was presented, along with the unveiling of the football stadium scoreboard being renamed in his honor, with the scoreboard reading “Jeff Sommer Stadium.”

Memorial for Jeff Sommer at Estero High School

Born on December 5, 1956, Sommer lead a life that many aspired to live. A family man, both with his immediate and figurative families, and all knew it, as they were his everything. He was the athletic director and head cross country and track coach while at Estero High School. During his time at the helm, he brought eight teams to state championships, and always stressed the three D’s, Dedication, Discipline and Desire, which epitomized who he was and what he stood for.

On May 3, 2015, Jeff Sommer fell ill and suffered a heart while watching the girls’ 4x800 relay at the track & field state meet. Shortly after, Sommer passed away at 58 years of age. Though he didn’t get to witness the end result, it would’ve been arguably one of his proudest moments, as the girls went on to win the 3A state title in the event, running 9:15.16.

The girls of Estero: Daley Cline,  Breeana Salcedo, Megan Giovanniello, and Megan Slater  celebrating after winning the 3A 4x800 relay state title in 2015.

Jeff Sommer had a certain spirit that was unmatched. The legacy he's left behind and the lives he's touched are just a testimony to the man he was: the man, the myth, the legend. The one, the only Jeff Sommer.