The year was 1998. I was a sophomore at Seaside High School. It was August and it was warm. I was engaged in the annual tradition of “daily doubles,” preseason football practices that were held twice a day for two weeks.

I knew that my role that year would be to play on the junior-varsity team and I was enjoying my time in that role. But during one of the afternoon practices, multiple injuries created a hole in the depth chart at the position that I played. I was called over from the JV end of the field to join the varsity practice.

It was an intimidating experience and I remember my nerves trembling as I jogged to join their practice. The players were stronger, bigger and generally, just nastier than I was prepared for. My older brother Josh was a stalwart player on the team and I recall being comforted by his presence, until he politely told me to not screw this up.

My nervousness would compound significantly when head coach Stubby Lyons joined our part of the practice. He was ever aware of all that was occurring on the field and, like the other terrific coaches of that sport, seemed to be everywhere all the time, leaving his imprint and impressions throughout.

He watched several plays and then called me over. His words left an unforgettable mark: “You can do this, but only if you give it your best. Mistakes made at less than full speed will not be acceptable.”

It was Stubby’s last year of coaching and I felt honored to play under his direction. He was and will always be a legendary figure.

His impact on me began years before the experience on the practice field at Seaside High School — he coached both my brothers, was a neighbor and a dedicated teacher and he became a family friend shortly after we moved here in 1993.

There were many coaches, teachers and adults that helped shape my life as a young man, but Stubby Lyons was special. It became clear to all around him that he was fulfilling several roles that he was uniquely qualified for — it was like he was predestined to serve in the capacities he did and he reached every ounce of his potential.

Stubby was always a figure in the community, even after he retired (the first time) from coaching. He served for 14 years as a city councilor in Seaside among many other civic, educational and athletic volunteer avocations.

Years after I concluded high school, when we would see each other, his personal touch was inspiring. He remembered all of my siblings’ names, our spouses, children and what we were up to. He offered wisdom on life, football and often shared one or more of his timeless expressions.

Stubby passed away on December 25, 2020 at the age of 86.

I’ve been fortunate to work with his lovely wife Sharee as well as two of Stubby’s coaching and teaching peers in Jim Auld and Wally Hamer over the past few months to plan a Celebration of Life for Stubby. That event will take place on Broadway Field on Saturday, July 17, at 11 a.m.

If you are fortunate to attend the event and look towards the scoreboard, you’ll see the final score from the Seaside State Championship Football game, from 1994, 27-14.

That game was perhaps the defining moment of Stubby’s coaching career, at least in Seaside. But the impression and impact that he had on the thousands of students and athletes that were proud to be Seaside Seagulls certainly crafted his legacy as being one of the most exceptional people I have ever met.

A Celebration of Life for Stubby takes place on Broadway Field, Saturday at 11 a.m.