(Mission Times Courier, San Diego, CA) -- San Diego Mesa College will celebrate the life and legacy of Mesa College Head Football Coach and former NFL quarterback Matt Kofler on Sunday, February 22, from 2 to 4:00pm in the college gymnasium. Coach Kofler, 49, passed away on December 19 in his El Cajon home.
Matthew (Matt) Kofler, a native of Kelso, Washington, had called San Diego home since 1973. A graduate of Patrick Henry High School (1978), Kofler was an All-American quarterback for Mesa (1978-79) and played for San Diego State (1980-81) before joining the NFL (1982-85) as a quarterback for the Buffalo Bills and Indianapolis Colts. He returned to Mesa in 1998, where he has served as Professor, Offensive Coordinator, Director of Recruitment, and Head Football Coach. Coach Kofler was in his third season as Head Football Coach at Mesa College at the time of his death.
Coach Kofler is survived by his 13-year-old son, Andrew Otto Kofler; mother Darlene Kofler, of Kelso Washington; sisters Terese Ann Ohrberg and Michelle Lea McGinnis, of Kelso Washington; and brother Christopher John Kofler of Temecula, California.
Students, alumni, family and friends are invited to attend the celebration of Coach Kofler’s life. Those wishing to create a page for inclusion in a memory book that will be presented to Coach Kofler’s family should send their submission to istark@sdccd.edu.
Tax-deductible contributions are being accepted to establish scholarship in Matt Kofler’s name for Mesa College student athletes. Those interested should send a check made payable to Mesa College Foundation – Matt Kofler Memorial Scholarship Fund, San Diego Mesa College, Student Affairs Office, 7250 Mesa College Drive, San Diego, CA 92111.
• Memorial Services to be held: 2-4:00pm on Sunday, February 22, 2009; San Diego Mesa College Gymnasium (directions and map: http://www.sdmesa.net/about-mesa )
• Those wishing to create a page for inclusion in a memory book that will be presented to Coach Kofler’s family should send their submission to istark@sdccd.edu.
• Tax-deductible contributions are being accepted for a scholarship in Matt Kofler’s name for Mesa College student athletes. Checks should be made out to: Mesa College Foundation – Matt Kofler Memorial Scholarship Fund and mailed to: Kathy Fennessey, San Diego Mesa College, Student Affairs Office, 7250 Mesa College Drive, San Diego, CA 92111.
• Visit the Matt Kofler memory gallery at www.sdmesa.edu/athletics . To submit a photo for inclusion, please email photo and caption to istark@sdccd.edu.