More than 700 people filled the Wolves’ Den gymnasium at Sonoma State University on Saturday to say goodbye to Marcus Ziemer, the men’s soccer coach who spent 35 years building the program into one of the most respected in Division II — and who died far too soon, in Germany, doing exactly what he loved.
Key Takeaways
- Over 700 former players, family members, coaches, and fans gathered at SSU’s Wolves’ Den gym on April 18 to celebrate Ziemer’s life.
- Ziemer, 63, died in mid-March from a traumatic brain injury after a scooter accident while traveling in Germany to watch Borussia Dortmund play.
- He coached SSU men’s soccer for 35 years, compiling a 360–200–70 record, one national championship (2002), eight conference titles, and 15 CCAA tournament appearances.
- Ziemer was a central figure in the “Save Seawolves Sports” movement that successfully pushed SSU to restore its athletic programs after they were eliminated in budget cuts.
- His wife Trisha said of him: “There will never be anyone like him in my life again.”
A 35-year legacy in Rohnert Park
Marcus Ziemer arrived at Sonoma State in the late 1980s and never left. Over three and a half decades, he became one of the defining figures of North Bay sports — coaching with intensity and warmth in equal measure, according to family and former players who spoke at the memorial. His 360 career wins at SSU placed him among the most successful coaches in the program’s history, and his 2002 national championship banner still hangs in the university’s athletic facilities.
Those who knew him best said his impact extended well beyond the scoreboard. His brother Benjamin told the crowd, “There’s a gaping hole now in so many lives that will never be filled.” His son Thomas and daughters Tera and Taylor closed the ceremony with remarks that drew sustained applause from a gym packed with people wearing old SSU jerseys and carrying scarves from dozens of teams Ziemer had touched over the years.
His death came at a bittersweet moment
Ziemer died in mid-March after sustaining a traumatic brain injury in a scooter accident while in Germany attending a Borussia Dortmund match — he was an ardent fan of the German club. The timing carried particular weight for the Sonoma State community: Ziemer had spent the months before his trip as one of the loudest and most visible advocates for reversing SSU’s decision to eliminate its athletic programs. When the university ultimately agreed to restore athletics, it was a victory Ziemer had fought for. He died before he could see the full outcome.
At Saturday’s memorial, longtime assistant coach Ben Langwith spoke to the bittersweet nature of that timing, honoring a man who poured himself into the fight to preserve the program he had built. According to the Press Democrat, more than 700 people attended — a reflection of how far Ziemer’s relationships extended across the region’s soccer and university communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Marcus Ziemer?
Ziemer, 63, died in mid-March 2026 from a traumatic brain injury he sustained in a scooter accident while visiting Germany to watch his favorite soccer club, Borussia Dortmund. He had been SSU’s men’s soccer head coach for 35 years.
What was Ziemer’s role in saving SSU athletics?
When Sonoma State University eliminated its athletics department due to budget pressures, Ziemer became one of the most prominent faces of the “Save Seawolves Sports” campaign — a community movement that ultimately persuaded the university to reverse course and restore its athletic programs. He died before the restoration was fully implemented.
Will there be any lasting memorial or tribute at SSU for Ziemer?
No formal announcement of a permanent tribute has been made as of the April 18 memorial. Given his status as the program’s most successful coach and his role in the athletics restoration campaign, calls from the community for a lasting honor — such as naming the soccer field or a facility in his name — are likely to continue. SSU has not yet commented on plans.
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