By Dena Parnis
Special to Loudoun Prep Sports
Sterling (Oct. 8, 2006) – On an evening that can only be described
as “football weather” Park View High School retired the No. 88 jersey
Friday night of Jeff Lageman, a former Patriot player who went on to
star at Virginia and in the NFL.
Park View principal Dr. Virginia Minshew opened the ceremony, held
prior to the Park View-Martinsburg WV game, by introducing the various
members present to honor Lageman, including assistant principals,
various School Board members, Patriot athletic director Joe Breinig,
Jr., Jeff Lageman, his wife, parents and brother, along with Ed Scott,
Lageman’s former Park View football coach.
Scott spoke eloquently of having the privilege of coaching Lageman
as a young player and the various qualities that he brought to the
program. Scott said that Lageman was not only a good football player,
but a good person, who always did what was asked. Scott mentioned that
Lageman had an opportunity to go to Oakton High School, but decided
instead to take a chance on a young Park View High School football
program.
Lageman started his speech on the rainy night by mentioning one word
that described Scott’s coaching “intensity”. Lageman thanked his
immediate family members and expressed his love for his parents, his
brother and his wife. With a tear in his eye, he spoke fondly of his
extended family in Sterling Park, the various families who always had
an open door for him. He listed the families by name and thanked them
for their generosity. Lageman went on to talk about the various events
in his life that helped him become the man he was today. He spoke of
the wonderful memories of starting his football career by playing in
the Lower Loudoun Football League. Lageman recited the names of the
various members of the LLFBL who were a part of the wonderful
organization when he played. Lageman spoke of their true love of
football and their unselfish commitment as they “gave their time on
Saturdays to teach the boys of Sterling Park the game of football.”
The inscription on the plaque of Lageman’s retired jersey reads: “Forever a Patriot, Jeff Lageman, 1985-1989”.
Lageman, who also played baseball during his time at Park View,
helped the football team to three district titles and the baseball team
won a state title in 1984.
Lageman went on to play his college ball at the University of
Virginia. He was a first round draft pick in the NFL, chosen as the
14th player by the New York Jets. He played for the Jets for six years.
Lageman then became a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1996 and
spent four years with them until his retirement from football. Lageman
is now the color analyst for a local TV show, “Jaguars This Week”, in
Jacksonville. He is also actively involved in the charity “Children’s
Miracle Network”.
Prior to the ceremony Lageman said that he was “excited and honored to be here.”
Scott said that Friday’s festivities were “very exciting and (the
honor) is well-deserved. (Lageman) has brought recognition to our
program and I am glad to see him recognized.”
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