Sonoma State CFA Members Honor Coaching, Organizing Powerhouse Marcus Ziemer

CFA members remember the late Marcus Ziemer as a vigorous, gregarious, and organized leader who coached Sonoma State University men’s soccer for 36 years before it was eliminated in budget cuts. 

Ziemer passed away last month after suffering traumatic injuries related to an electric scooter incident.  

“He was very dedicated to the idea of athletics as an essential part of an education.”

– Scott Horstein

Scott Horstein, CFA Somona Membership and Organizing Chair and Sonoma State professor, said Ziemer was an active CFA member who was a leader in the fight against the 2025 campus budget cuts. Ziemer not only spoke for the coaching community and student athletes but was clear that he was fighting for everyone, Horstein added.  

“I think he was someone who was absolutely dedicated to the mission of being an educator,” Horstein said. “He was very dedicated to the idea of athletics as an essential part of an education.”  

One remarkable action Marcus made happen, Horstein said, was organizing NBA Memphis Grizzlies player and Sonoma State alum Jaylen Wells to come to campus for a press conference where he spoke about the importance of the athletics program.  

“It’s just one of many things Marcus was able to do to help shine a light and bring attention to let people know how much both the local and the wider community cared about what we were doing,” Horstein said. “He was never afraid to reach out to whoever, whether he knew them or not, and to try to let them know what our fight was about and to try to enlist their support.” 

John Sullins, CFA Sonoma department representative and Sonoma State professor, got to know Ziemer through their work to reverse layoffs. Sullins said Ziemer was always there for those who sought help and advice, and that Ziemer coached him through dark times while they were experiencing layoffs. One time, when Sullins was ready to give up, he had a long talk with Ziemer in his office.  

“He fired me back up and gave me the energy that I needed to see this thing through, and I really don’t think I would be re-employed at Sonoma State if it wasn’t for his help in keeping me motivated when I wanted to give up,” Sullins said.  

Sullins also described Ziemer as a giant in Sonoma State athletics. Ziemer played on the men’s soccer team himself, and Sullins said nobody had a truer love for Sonoma State athletics. Ziemer was a two-time all-conference soccer player for the Seawolves in the 1980s, according to a message from Sonoma State President Michael Spagna. 

Ziemer led Sonoma State to eight CCAA conference titles and 15 CCAA tournament appearances, Spagna’s message also said. He was named Coach of the Year six times, was a two-time Regional Coach of the Year, and was named National Coach of the Year after leading the Seawolves to their first national men’s soccer championship in 2002, Spagna added. 

“Coach Ziemer’s vision and leadership skills were on full display over the past year as he led the fight to save NCAA Athletics at Sonoma State, including his work with the current Athletics task force on campus studying the possible restoration of the program.” 

– CFA Sonoma Executive Board

During the layoff fight back work, Sullins said alumni came and talked about how Ziemer changed their lives and that getting rid of Ziemer was a massive mistake for the school. After he was laid off, Sullins said Ziemer worked on a task force about restoring the athletics program and was really excited about it. Whoever takes up the fight to bring athletics back to Sonoma State has big shoes to fill, Sullins added.  

On a personal level, Sullins also knew Marcus through their shared love for heavy metal and progressive rock music. They went to shows together in the area and in San Francisco.  

At shows, Sullins said Ziemer’s old soccer players would show up and hug him. Marcus could get music show crowds moving and dancing, Ziemer said, showing his people skills beyond the soccer field and CFA actions.  

“Everybody that knew Marcus was blessed to know him,” Sullins said. “I think that we all just want the world to know that we lost a really big figure and someone who was a powerhouse in athletics and especially soccer in the entire Northern California region and into Germany.”  

The CFA Sonoma Executive Board also wrote a tribute to Ziemer. In an email to the chapter, they said Ziemer showed solidarity as a passionate, caring, honest, fiery, and inspiring colleague.  

“We think of his fierce devotion to athletics and its place in education and collegiate life, and to the model of the scholar-athlete,” the board said. “Coach Ziemer’s vision and leadership skills were on full display over the past year as he led the fight to save NCAA Athletics at Sonoma State, including his work with the current Athletics task force on campus studying the possible restoration of the program.”   

There will be a celebration of life for Ziemer on Saturday, April 18 at 3 p.m. at Sonoma State inside the original gym by the soccer field. To RSVP, text (707) 953-1951 your name and number of people attending.