Sommers family named honorary captains

Kirsten (Muotka) Sommers alongside her children Jameson, Evelyn, Caden and Owen Sommers all served as honorary captains during Friday’s home opening Bluejays football game. Kirsten’s late husband, Brian Sommers, was a 2007 graduate of Waseca High School and a member of the Bluejay football team. Brian died in a tragic accident this past January. 

“He was a true Waseca Bluejay,” head football coach Brad Wendland told the Pioneer. “He represents everything good about our community. He was hard working, loyal, and tough. He’d give you the shirt off his back in a heartbeat. His family is a pillar of our community. 

“Last winter when there was that terrible accident I started getting calls and texts about what happened to Brian,” Wendland said. “It was really hard. At first I thought about his wife and his kids.”

Wendland said his next thoughts were about what the Waseca community could do for Brian and his family. He referenced other community events and said he later approached Kirsten about honoring Brian during the Bluejay’s home opener. 

The September 6 evening featured a number of moments honoring and recalling Brian’s impact on the community. 

“I moved here in August of 2006,” coach Wendland explained. “Brian was a senior captain–one of the first players I met. He loved football. He loved all of his activities. He was a hard-working kid.”

Wendland said that first group of kids he coached was better than they realized. 

“It was a memorable, special year,” Wendland continued. “Throughout the course of that season it was really fun to watch those kids get confidence and play hard and learn how to win while being great teammates. I think those guys deserve, to this day, some of the credit for the success our program is having.” 

In addition to being honorary captains, the Sommers family was presented with a game-worn Brian Sommers jersey from his high school playing career. 

While prepping for a move across town this summer, Coach Wendland found, in his possession, old jerseys from that 2006 season–including the number 32, the jersey Brian wore. 

“I thought, ‘Well, this is meant to be,’” Wendland recalled. 

While the Sommers family walked to the field, a speech, found in its entirety at the end of this article, was read aloud. Owen Sommers performed the official coin toss.  

After the opening ceremony, Kirsten gave Coach Wendland a memento on the sideline with an inscription meant to signify her family's gratitude for the impact coaches have.

Wendland had one final thing to say of the night: “I miss Brian.” 

The speech, in its entirety, follows:

“Brian Sommers was born on June 23, 1988, to Mark and Becky Sommers in Waseca. He was raised on his family's dairy farm alongside his two older brothers, Brandon and Matthew, and one younger sister, Mindy. Brian passed away as a result of injuries sustained in a work accident on January 9, 2024.

“[During his school years], He was involved in Youth Service League, 4-H, FFA and anything related to farming. He was a senior captain for both football and wrestling. 

“[After graduating], Brian remained involved in the community through custom baling, crop farming, dairy farming, raising dairy heifers, 4-H and volunteering. He enjoyed playing sports, especially football and wrestling. 

“Brian met Kirsten Muotka in kindergarten; they graduated together as part of Waseca High School’s class of 2007. They were united in marriage on February 21, 2015. His wife and their four children, Owen, Caden, Evelyn and Jameson, were his entire world. The life Brian and his wife built together was his greatest accomplishment. 

‘Brian remained connected to the sports he loved by being a coach and mentor to the youth wrestlers. He shared his passion for football by coaching Owen’s and Caden’s youth football teams. He could also be found playing catch with his kids and the neighbors’ children. He was the designated “all-time quarterback” and encouraged the neighborhood kids to go out for football if they weren't already signed up. Brian knew that investing in youth is the key to a successful athletic program.

“Brian’s senior year was Coach Wendland’s first season as the head football coach in Waseca. The 2006 football season was memorable. The Jays started the season breaking a 14-game losing streak that dated back to 2004 with a 28-12 victory over St. Peter. They won the school’s first homecoming game since 2002 in an exhilarating 14-13 win over New Ulm. That was the first of a five-game winning streak where the Jays outscored their opponents 145-47. The team exceeded all expectations with a regular season record of 6-2 which placed them third in the Southern Minnesota Alliance conference rankings. They advanced to the section 1AAAA playoffs where they defeated Albert Lea 27-0 in the first round, then lost to Northfield, the eventual section champions, 33-0. Brian was quoted in the yearbook describing the team’s 7-3 record season as saying, ‘The best part about the season was having a winning record.’ 

“Not only did Brian have a lasting impact on Coach Wendland, but Coach Wendland had an impact on him. Coach Wendland started a tradition of great work ethic and athletic excellence that persists today. Brian’s leadership as an athlete transferred to parenting, the workplace and the community. He put his all into everything life had to offer. His legacy will be carried on as the community remembers the impact Brian made. 

“Once a Bluejay, always a Bluejay!”