New Scholarship Fund to Aid Boys Varsity Soccer Students at Middletown High

March 3, 2009: Bob Sheffler has lived in Middletown his entire life. A graduate of Middletown High School, he earned his college degree from Boston University and then returned to the area, briefly teaching and coaching at Walkersville High School before becoming a math teacher and the Boys Varsity Soccer coach at Middletown High School in 1974. His great passion in life is inspiring students and athletes to be the best they can be at whatever they set their minds to.

Mr. Sheffler says he was greatly influenced by his participation in sports as a child. His father, Bob, as well as then Middletown High School basketball coach Ron Engle, and Middletown native Roy Sigler, who coincidently became Mr. Sheffler’s college soccer coach at Boston University, made a difference in his life and were instrumental in developing his lifelong love of sports.

Coach Sheffler, as he has been known for the past 35 years at Middletown High School, has gone on to inspire new generations of students who have participated on the Boys Varsity Soccer team at the school. “Beyond the benefits of fitness, student-athletes learn valuable life skills, such as blending the demands of sport with the responsibilities of the classroom, working together toward a common goal, and developing composure under pressure,” he said.

The Middletown High School Soccer Alumni were determined that Coach Sheffler’s legacy of giving back would continue to help others and recently honored him by raising funds to create The Coach Bob Sheffler/Middletown High School Soccer Alumni Scholarship Fund at The Community Foundation of Frederick County. The Fund will provide scholarships to graduating seniors of Middletown High School who have participated in varsity soccer during their senior year to aid them in their pursuit of a college education. The first scholarships from the Fund will be awarded for the 2009-2010 academic year.

“Coach Sheffler helped to create the Middletown High School Soccer Camp, which we grew up attending,” said alumni Jeff Colsh, now a Social Studies teacher and Boys Junior Varsity Soccer coach at Middletown High School. “He helped to establish the strong youth leagues in the area, and pushed us to challenge ourselves as players at all levels and abilities. Many of us will forever remain passionate about the game he helped us love.”

Humbled that the Soccer Alumni would honor him by creating The Coach Bob Sheffler/Middletown High School Soccer Alumni Scholarship Fund, Coach Sheffler said he feels the Fund celebrates his career by blending the two elements that have driven him for more than 35 years – academics and soccer. “The time and effort I spent with my former players was certainly worthwhile, and I hope they feel the same. I hope this scholarship fund will motivate student-athletes to reach for higher goals, both as a soccer player and as a student in the years to come.”

As a leading philanthropic organization, the Community Foundation has awarded more than $19 million in scholarships to deserving students and grants to worthy nonprofit organizations since 1986 thanks to generous citizens who want to create positive and lasting change in their community and seek the guidance and expertise of the Community Foundation to fulfill their charitable dreams.

Secure, online donations may be made to The Coach Bob Sheffler/Middletown High School Soccer Alumni Scholarship Fund. To do so, click here. Checks may be made payable to The Community Foundation of Frederick County and mailed to 312 East Church Street, Frederick, Maryland 21701. Simply insert the Fund’s name in the check’s memo line. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.